National Consensus for the Management of Acute Gastroenteritis in Jordanian Children: Consensus Recommendations Endorsed by the Jordanian Paediatric Society

Abstract

Diarrhoeal diseases are one of the leading worldwide preventable causes of death among children under 5 years of age. Almost half of children do not receive optimal acute gastroenteritis (AGE) treatment in Jordan. With neither regional nor local guidelines available for AGE, consensus recommendations on the management of paediatric AGE in Jordan were developed by a panel of senior paediatricians and paediatric gastroenterologists and are endorsed by the Jordanian Paediatric Society. Recommendations are based on international guidelines and available relevant literature in relation to the AGE landscape and the healthcare system in Jordan. The prevention of diarrhoeal diseases should focus on the improvement of nutrition, hygiene, and sanitation, the introduction of routine vaccination against rotavirus, and the adoption of a standardised approach for AGE management (oral rehydration solution (ORS) use±adjunct therapies, continued feeding, and avoiding routine antibiotic use). Ondansetron, diosmectite, racecadotril, probiotics, and zinc can be considered adjunct to ORS, if needed. Local data gaps should be addressed. The clinical algorithm for the management of paediatric AGE could promote adherence to practice recommendations and by extension improve health outcomes in children.

The Efficacy of Probiotics as Antiviral Agents for the Treatment of Rotavirus Gastrointestinal Infections in Children: An Updated Overview of Literature

“…Scientific evidence shows enough evidence to justify the use of probiotics for the treatment of several disorders, including gastrointestinal dysbiosis, antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease, as well as anxiety, depression, and wound healing [19,20,[32][33][34][35]. In a review on the management of acute gastroenteritis in Jordanian children [36], it was emphasised that prevention of diarrhoea diseases should focus on the improvement of nutrition, hygiene, and sanitation. In the case of rotavirus gastroenteritis, the authors proposed the introduction of routine vaccination against the rotavirus, as well as the use of adjuvant therapies.…”