The Effects of Antiemetics for Children With Vomiting Due to Acute, Moderate Gastroenteritis

A CUTE GASTROENTERITIS (GE) IS A COMMON childhoodillness. Althoughchildrenwith GEfrequentlyhavevomiting, current practice recommendations for pediatric GE do not include pharmacologic treatment for vomiting. Furthermore, experimental studies of medications to treat pediatric GE-associated vomiting are limited. In this issue of the Archives, DeCamp et al performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine if antiemetic treatment reduces vomiting and decreases the need for further intervention in children with GE. Two assessment tools were used to determine the quality rating of each article. The primary outcome measures included cessation of emesis, use of intravenous fluid (IVF) for rehydration, hospital admission, return to care, and medication adverse effects. Using computerized databases, references lists, and expert recommendations, DeCamp et al identified 11 prospective controlled studies that met inclusion criteria. The