No more guesswork: Proven treatment for vomiting from childhood gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis, often called the “stomach flu” or “gastro”, is a common illness, especially among children. Worldwide, between three and five billion children come down with gastro each year. It’s highly contagious and can spread quickly through schools and daycare centres, causing uncomfortable symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, and fevers.

As most bouts of gastro are due to viral infections, the illness usually resolves over a few days, with health care providers recommending plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration caused by persistent vomiting.

Until recently, the best course of treatment for vomiting due to gastroenteritis was a topic of debate. Some children were sent home to ride it out. Others were prescribed ondansetron, an anti-nausea drug. While ondansetron has been shown to be highly effective when administered as a single dose in the emergency department, there was no evidence to indicate that it would provide additional benefits if given to children after they were sent home.

Now, the results of an innovative pediatric clinical trial led by Dr. Stephen Freedman and colleagues have put this debate to rest. “This study makes it clear that ondansetron should be provided to children seeking emergency department care for acute gastroenteritis and frequent vomiting, both in the emergency department and after discharge,” says Dr. Freedman. The medication has been proven to reduce the severity of the illness and help children recover faster at home.

The study recommends that children receive two doses of ondansetron to take as needed at home after discharge if vomiting persists.

“We can indeed make children feel better. Clinical trials focused on symptoms in children are needed and crucial to identify effective treatments,” explains Dr. Freedman. “In many cases, these treatments can be inexpensive yet provide dramatic benefits.”

The expected impact stemming from these findings? Quicker recovery for children after discharge and fewer children returning to the hospital for persistent symptoms.

Looking forward, Dr. Freedman and his research team are working to pinpoint which children benefit most from ondansetron, helping clinicians provide additional doses of ondansetron to the children most likely to experience ongoing symptoms.

At a glance

Issue

Gastroenteritis is a highly contagious common childhood illness that often leads to frequent and severe vomiting. Until now, the best course of treatment was up for debate.

Research

Research led by Dr. Stephen Freedman and his colleagues proves that the anti-nausea medication ondansetron helps children with gastroenteritis bounce back faster.