Efficacy of Racecadotril in Acute Gastroenteritis in Children at Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To compare the mean reduction in number of stools in racecadotril group with placebo group in the management of acute gastroenteritis in children with some dehydration.
Material and Methods: It was Quasi experimental study conducted in the Department of Pediatric Medicine, Children Hospital and ICH, Pakistan. Duration was of this study six months from 01/08/2022 to 31/01/2023. A total of 60 patients presented with acute gastroenteritis were divided to 2 groups. Group A oral rececadotril in addition to standard WHO treatment for acute gastroenteritis and Group B only standard WHO treatment along with 5ml of distilled water in the form of placebo. After 3 days both the groups were contacted and asked about the number of stools. Drug was considered efficacious if the number of stools is ≤2 per day after three days.
Results: In our Mean No. of stools at baseline in Group A was 7.001.26 in Group B 7.30±1.09, p-value = 0.328, mean No. of stools after treatment in Group A was 2.47±0.77 and in Group B 4.63±0.67, p-value = 0.0001. Comparison of mean reduction in number of stools after treatment in Group A was 4.53±1.14 and in Group B 2.67±1.03, p-value=0.0001. Conclusion: Racecadotril is more effective when compared with placebo group in the management of acute gastroenteritis in children with some dehydration.
Keywords: acute gastroenteritis, children, management, racecadotril, effective.