Oral Disintegrating Ondansetron Tablet to Reduce Vomiting From Gastroenteritis in a Pediatric Emergency Department
Oral Disintegrating Ondansetron Tablet to Reduce Vomiting From Gastroenteritis in a Pediatric Emergency Department
The objectives of the study were to determine whether ondansetron treatment would reduce:

 -  the amount of vomiting in the emergency department;

 -  the need for intravenous rehydration; and

 -  the need for hospitalization.
Background:

 Vomiting may limit the success of oral rehydration in children with gastroenteritis and
 dehydration. Limited data suggest that while oral ondansetron may reduce vomiting from
 gastroenteritis, emergency department revisits may increase.

 Methods:

 The investigators conducted a prospective, double-blind randomized trial at a pediatric
 emergency department in 214 dehydrated children, aged 6 months to 10 years with
 gastroenteritis and mild to moderate dehydration as assessed by a dehydration score. They
 were randomly assigned to receive treatment with an ondansetron oral disintegrating tablet or
 placebo. Oral rehydration was administered according to a standard protocol. The primary
 outcome was the proportion of children who vomited during oral rehydration therapy. The
 secondary outcomes were the mean number of episodes of vomiting, and the proportion of
 children treated with intravenous rehydration or hospitalized.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Acute gastroenteritis

 -  Non-bilious and non-bloody vomiting within 4 hours of triage

 -  Diarrhea

 -  Mild to moderate dehydration

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Weight less than 8 kilograms

 -  Severe dehydration

 -  Underlying disease which might affect the assessment of hydration status (e.g.,
 chronic renal failure, hypoalbuminemia, congestive heart failure, on diuretics)

 -  History of abdominal surgery

 -  Hypersensitivity to the drug or any components in its formulation