Title: Zofran for Pediatric Gastroenteritis<br/>Author: Rose Chasm<br/><a href='http://umem.org/profiles/faculty/82/'>[Click to email author]</a><hr/><ul>
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Pediatric acute gastroenteritis has always been a major cause of ED visits and hospitalizations.</li>
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Pediatric complaints of vomiting and diarrhea have been on the rise, whether it be secondary to the new Omicron-variant of COVID-19, or norovirus and rotavirus which traditionally account for nearly 60% of all cases.</li>
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Zofran (Ondansteron) 4mg for children 4-11yo weighing greater than 40kg, and up to 8mg for those older.</li>
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Zofran prescription at discharge was associated with reduced rate of return at 72-hours and was not associated with masking alternative diagnosis like appendicitis and intussusception.</li>
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Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) consisting of a low osmolarity solution containing sugar and salts along with zinc has also been shown to optimize treatment and diminish return visits. ORT is available in commercial packets, pre-mixed solutions, or can be made at home with table salt and sugar.</li>
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Bottom Line: Consider providing a prescription of Zofran along with recommendations for oral rehydration therapy consisting of a low osmolarity solution containing sugar and salts to prevent outpatient treatment failure and return visits.</li>
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<fieldset><legend>References</legend>
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Benary, Lozano, Higley, Lowe. Pediatrics. Ondansteron Prescription is Associated with Reduced Return Visits to the Pediatric Emergency Department for Children with Gastroenteritis. 76,5. November 2020.</p>
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Rivera-Dominguez, Ward. StatPearls. Pediatric Gastroenteritis. April 2021.</p>
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Managing Acute Gastroenteritis Among Children. CDC. MMWR.</p>
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