33 Efficacy of sucrose administration in addition to oral rehydration at triage for paediatric gastroenteritis: A randomized controlled trial
Abstract
Acute gastroenteritis is a common infection among children presenting to emergency departments (EDs). Fasting-induced ketosis has been proposed as a factor exacerbating nausea/vomiting in paediatric gastroenteritis.
We aimed to evaluate whether administering a concentrated sucrose solution at triage improves oral intake of rehydration solution within the first two hours in children with suspected gastroenteritis.
We conducted a double-blind, randomized controlled trial in a paediatric tertiary care ED from 2022 to 2024. Participants were children aged 6 months to 7 years who presented with three or more episodes of vomiting in the prior 24 hours, most likely due to gastroenteritis at triage. Exclusion criteria included severe dehydration, hypoglycemia, bilious vomiting, or the presence of a chronic condition. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 1.5 ml/kg of a sucrose solution, composed of diluted juice with added table sugar (3.5g of sucrose/10 ml), or diluted juice alone (0.5g of sucrose/10 mL). Thirty minutes after the intervention, parents were instructed to progressively offer oral rehydration solution. The primary outcome was the rehydration solution volume ingested in the first two hours following intervention, while the number of vomiting episodes, need for intravenous rehydration, and ondansetron administration were secondary outcomes.
Among 1,819 patients screened for acute gastroenteritis, 223 (12.2%) eligible children agreed to participate and…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 1,819 participants or records.
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