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Published on: June 21, 2024
Systematic review with meta-analysis: ondansetron for vomiting in children with acute gastroenteritis
E Tomasik1, E Ziółkowska1, M Kołodziej1
1Department of Paediatrics, The Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
Insights
Ondansetron effectively stops vomiting in children with acute gastroenteritis within one hour, improving oral rehydration therapy success and reducing hospitalizations. This medication is safe and well-tolerated, with similar side effects to placebo.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- Vomiting is a common symptom in pediatric acute gastroenteritis.
- It frequently leads to the failure of oral rehydration therapy (ORT).
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the evidence on ondansetron's effectiveness for treating vomiting in children with acute gastroenteritis.
- To update existing evidence on ondansetron's role in improving ORT outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a systematic search of Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases up to April 2016.
- Included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with no language restrictions.
- Examined reference lists of reviews and relevant studies.
Main Results:
- Ten RCTs involving 1215 children were analyzed.
- Ondansetron significantly increased vomiting cessation within 1 hour (RR 1.49) compared to placebo.
- Ondansetron reduced ORT failure (RR 0.5), hospitalization risk (RR 0.53), and need for IV rehydration (RR 0.45).
- Improved oral fluid intake and showed no effect on emergency department return visits.
- Adverse effects were comparable between ondansetron and placebo groups.
Conclusions:
- Ondansetron administration improves the efficacy of oral rehydration therapy in children with acute gastroenteritis.
- It is an effective intervention for managing vomiting and associated complications.
Background:
Vomiting in children with acute gastroenteritis is a common symptom, and it is considered to be the main cause of failure of oral rehydration therapy.
Aim:
To systematically update evidence on the effects of ondansetron (5-HT3 serotonin antagonist) for vomiting in children with acute gastroenteritis.
Methods:
The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched up to April 2016, with no language restrictions, for randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Reference lists of reviews and included studies were examined.
Results:
Ten RCTs involving 1215 participants were included. Treatment with ondansetron compared with placebo increased the chance for vomiting cessation up to 1 h after drug administration, relative risk, RR, 1.49 (95% confidence interval 1.17-1.89), but there was no difference between the groups after 4, 24 and 48 h. Treatment with ondansetron compared with placebo reduced the risk of failure of oral rehydration therapy, RR 0.5 (0.37-0.69), increased the intake of oral rehydration solution in 1 h and 4 h, mean difference: 43 mL/1 h (15.5-70.5), and 91 mL/4 h (35-147), respectively, reduced the risk of hospitalisation, RR 0.53 (0.29-0.97), and reduced the need for intravenous rehydration, RR 0.45 (0.31-0.63); however, it had no effect on the need for return visits to the emergency department, RR 1.14 (0.72-1.8). Adverse effects were similar in both groups.
Conclusions:
Compared with placebo, ondansetron administration for vomiting in children with acute gastroenteritis can improve the efficacy of oral rehydration therapy.
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