ROLE OF ORAL ONDANSETRON AS AN ADJUCNT TO ORAL REHYDRATION THERAPY IN ACUTE GASTROENTERITIS

Oral Ondansetron

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the role of oral ondansetron as an effective measure to facilitate oral rehydration in acute gastroenteritis.
Study Design: Randomized controlled trail.
Place and Duration of Study: Army medical college, Military hospital Rawalpindi, from Mar 2017 to Sep 2017.
Material and Methods: One hundred and forty children with clinical diagnosis of acute gastroenteritis with mild to moderate dehydration were randomized into two equal groups. Group 1 was treated according to the WHO criteria with only ORS in a dose of 75ml/kg body weight. Group 2 received ondansetron before ORS as a single oral dose of 0.2mg/kg body weight.
Results: The difference between improvement in drinking ability and hydration status between the two groups was highly significant (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Ondansetron markedly improved the hydration status and drinking ability of the children by reducing nausea and vomiting.