Abstract | INTRODUCTION: Acute gastroenteritis results from infection of the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly with a virus. It is characterised by rapid onset of diarrhoea with or without vomiting, nausea, fever, and abdominal pain. Diarrhoea is defined as the frequent passage of unformed, liquid stools. Regardless of the cause, the mainstay of management of acute gastroenteritis is provision of adequate fluids to prevent and treat dehydration. METHODS AND OUTCOMES: We conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical questions: What are the effects of interventions to prevent acute gastroenteritis in children? What are the effects of treatments for acute gastroenteritis in children? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and other important databases up to March 2010 (Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically; please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). We included harms alerts from relevant organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). RESULTS: We found 42 systematic reviews, RCTs, or observational studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | Jacqueline R Dalby-Payne, Elizabeth J Elliott |
Journal | BMJ clinical evidence
(BMJ Clin Evid)
Vol. 2011
(Jul 26 2011)
ISSN: 1752-8526 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 21791124
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Review, Systematic Review)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Acute Disease
- Administration, Oral
- Child
- Dehydration
(drug therapy)
- Gastroenteritis
(drug therapy)
- Humans
- Incidence
- Infant
- Loperamide
(therapeutic use)
- Nausea
(drug therapy)
- Probiotics
- Time Factors
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