Related Experiment Videos

Hospital management of children with acute gastroenteritis

Eugenia Bruzzese1, Andrea Lo Vecchio, Alfredo Guarino

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.

Current Opinion in Gastroenterology
|December 1, 2012
PubMed

Insights

New findings offer insights into managing acute gastroenteritis (AGE), focusing on rehydration and medications. Evidence suggests improved protocols could reduce hospitalizations and costs, but validated inpatient management is still needed.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Pediatrics
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a significant cause of emergency department visits and hospitalizations.
  • Existing guidelines for AGE management have been established.
  • There is a continuous need for updated and evidence-based management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review new information on managing acute gastroenteritis.
  • To evaluate the effectiveness of different rehydration protocols, antiemetics, and antidiarrheal drugs.
  • To identify gaps in current inpatient management of AGE.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on AGE management.
  • Analysis of data on rehydration therapies (nasogastric tube, intravenous, ultrarapid).
  • Evaluation of antiemetic and antidiarrheal drug efficacy and safety.

Main Results:

  • Nasogastric tube rehydration is superior to intravenous rehydration in pediatric patients with moderate-severe dehydration.
  • Ultrarapid rehydration may decrease hospital stay but is linked to increased readmissions and side effects.
  • Antiemetics, like ondansetron, can reduce i.v. rehydration needs but carry risks; antidiarrheals show potential but require more inpatient data.

Conclusions:

  • Inappropriate medical interventions for AGE persist in hospitals, contributing to high costs.
  • There is a critical need for validated management protocols for hospitalized patients with AGE.
  • Further research is required to establish optimal and safe treatment strategies for AGE.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Gastritis III: Clinical Manifestations and Management01:23

Gastritis III: Clinical Manifestations and Management

The clinical manifestations of gastritis can vary depending on the cause and type of gastritis, but some common symptoms may include the following.
Clinical manifestations of acute gastritis
The patient with acute gastritis may have a rapid onset of symptoms, such as epigastric pain or discomfort, dyspepsia, anorexia, hiccups, or nausea and vomiting, which can last from a few hours to a few days. Erosive or hemorrhagic gastritis may cause bleeding, which may manifest as blood in vomit or as...
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:28

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents01:18

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents

Acute diarrhea, a common gastrointestinal disturbance, is characterized by the rapid evacuation of fluid stools, leading to an excessive weight in fluid. This condition typically arises from disorders affecting intestinal water and electrolyte transport. It can be triggered by an increased osmotic load within the intestine, excessive secretion of electrolytes and water, mucosal exudation of protein and fluid, or altered intestinal motility. The primary risks of acute diarrhea are dehydration...
Acute Pancreatitis II: Clinical Manifestations and Management01:30

Acute Pancreatitis II: Clinical Manifestations and Management

Acute pancreatitis presents a complex medical emergency characterized by rapid onset inflammation of the pancreas, demanding timely diagnosis and management to prevent complications. The condition primarily manifests through severe upper abdominal pain that often radiates to the back. This pain intensifies following the consumption of fatty foods. Accompanying symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention, fever, dyspnea, cyanosis, and jaundice can vary in intensity but significantly...
Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison01:14

Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison

In cases of acute poisoning, the primary objective is to prevent further absorption of the toxic substance into the body. Immediate interventions using various decontamination techniques targeting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can achieve this. Decontamination is crucial to prevent poison from entering the systemic circulation, which involves washing affected areas with water and mild soap and removing contaminated clothing. Once external decontamination is done, attention must be turned to...
Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...