The effect of ondansetron on decreasing the hospitalization rate in children with gastroenteritis and recurrent vomiting

Background: Diarrhea is one of the most common disorders in infancy and childhood and recurrent vomiting is a main reason for hospitalization for these patients. This study was to assess the effect of injective ondansetron on decreasing the hospitalization rate in children with diarrhea and recurrent vomiting. Methods: In this clinical trial study, patients between six months and six years, with acute viral diarrhea and recurrent vomiting, were assessed for the possibility of being treated as outpatients, based on their response to ondansetron, compared to a control group who did not receive ondansetron. The sample size was 100 for each group. Cases for the ondansetron group were under observation for at least two hours in the emergency ward and were followed until 72 hours to find out if there was any need for them to return to the hospital due to vomiting. Otherwise, all cases in the control group were hospitalized. Data of both groups, including the rate and duration of hospitalization, was analyzed. Results: Of the 100 individuals who received ondansetron (n = 91) 91% did not need to be hospitalized and 9 patients needed to be admitted in the next 72 hours, while (n = 100) 100% of control group were hospitalized (P value = 0.003). Vomiting in the control group continued in 35% of patients after 72 hours of admission. The duration of hospitalization for the patients of the control group was 2.94 ± 1.40 (mean ± SD) days. Interpretation: Ondansetron can be considered as an effective agent to decrease the hospitalization rate in infants and children with diarrhea as well as vomiting. Injective forms of ondansetron seem to be more achieved than oral forms. Keywords: Infant, Child, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Ondansetron, Hospitalizatio