Grant: Knowledge Synthesis Grant

Gastroenteritis, also commonly called the "stomach flu", is an extremely common illness, especially in young children. Most often, it is caused by a virus and results in vomiting, diarrhea and fevers. These symptoms are very concerning to caregivers who frequently bring their affected children for evaluation(s) by a healthcare provider. Many children visit the emergency department, and 1 in 25 Canadian children will be hospitalized for gastroenteritis before their fifth birthday. Despite being a common illness, there are large differences in how doctors treat affected children. Our objectives are: 1) to summarize what is currently known about how to treat children with gastroenteritis; 2) to develop a statement that will help doctors provide the best possible care; and 3) to understand what information is still needed to help manage these children most effectively. We will do this by using well-known and accepted methods to gather and summarize evidence and involving key individuals from across Canada with important expertise. We will specifically look at the evidence for the following treatments: oral rehydration therapy, intravenous therapy, anti-vomiting medications, and probiotics. We will also evaluate the best methods to assess the level of dehydration in children. This work is important to researchers, healthcare providers, parents, and policy makers to ensure that young children receive the safest and most effective care for this common condition.