RESUMO
Background Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a major health concern in pediatric populations because of its associated vomiting, which worsens dehydration and the severity of illness. Objective The purpose of the research was to compare the relative effectiveness of oral ondansetron in treating AGE in children's vomiting when compared to oral domperidone and oral metoclopramide. Methodology A clinical investigation involving 120 pediatric patients diagnosed with AGE was conducted in Pakistan from November 2022 to April 2023 using a single-blind randomized design and convenience sampling. The participants received oral suspensions of ondansetron, metoclopramide, and domperidone, with doses of 0.15 mg/kg, 0.1-0.2 mg/kg, and 0.5 mg/kg, respectively, adjusted according to their body weight. The outcome in different groups was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) (version 20.0; IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY). Results At six hours, vomiting cessation rates were 80.0% for ondansetron (n=32), 72.5% for domperidone (n=29), and 67.5% for metoclopramide (n=27; p=0.29). By 24 hours, ondansetron exhibited significantly higher efficacy (92.5%; n=37) compared to domperidone (82.5%; n=33) and metoclopramide (77.5%; n=31; p=0.03). Adverse effects were minimal and comparable across groups. Conclusion Oral ondansetron demonstrated superior efficacy in managing AGE-related vomiting in children within 24 hours compared to metoclopramide and domperidone.
RESUMO
Background Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder with diverse symptoms. Understanding its genetic basis and prevalence is crucial for effective management and treatment. Objective The study aimed to provide comprehensive insights into the frequency of CF gene mutations, clinical presentations, and complications among the Pakistani population. Methodology A cohort comprising 892 patients, ranging in age from 18 to more than 40 years, was selected on the basis of clinical and genetic criteria for the diagnosis of CF. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to look for 34 variants in the CFTR gene in blood samples. Statistical analysis, which included figuring out the number of mutations, the average age of diagnosis, and the genetic diversity of the samples, was performed to analyze the percentage of patients with specific mutations, offering insights into the genetic diversity. Results In our comprehensive analysis of 892 patient samples, 77.47% (n=691) displayed consanguinity, indicating a family history. The prevailing symptoms included chronic cough (88.67%; n=791), recurrent respiratory infections (76.68%; n=684), and fatigue (73.76%; n=658). The major complications comprised pulmonary infections (22%; n=197), cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (21%; n=187), and malabsorption (20%: n=178). A paired t-test revealed a mean difference of 5.750 with a standard deviation of 9.147, a 95% confidence interval from -0.061 to 11.561, a t-value of 2.178 with 11 degrees of freedom, and a two-tailed p-value of 0.052, suggesting a potential trend towards significance. Nevertheless, the asymptotic significance values of 1.000 and 0.998 for both groups indicate no significant difference. Furthermore, the study identified 12 cystic fibrosis gene mutations, with F508del and N1303K being the most prevalent. Conclusion This research revealed significant consanguinity, confirmed typical CF symptoms, and identified common complications and prevalent CFTR gene mutations (with F508del and N1303K being the most common), providing insights for genetic guidance and treatment in the Pakistani community.
