Recent Advances in the Treatment of Acute Gastroenteritis

Acute gastroenteritis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children around the world, especially in children younger than 5 years. The severity of the disease varies widely depending on the volume of fluid loss the child experiences through vomiting and diarrhea. Preventing the development of dehydration and rehydration therapy are the mainstay of emergency department treatment. A variety of therapies have been proposed to achieve these aims in children with acute gastroenteritis by alleviating vomiting and diarrhea. This review will describe the most recent developments in the literature related to acute gastroenteritis. Special emphasis will be placed on the emerging evidence for innovative therapeutic interventions.