IV Dextrose Does Not Reduce Admissions for Children with Gastroenteritis

In a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial of children presenting to a pediatric emergency department with gastroenteritis for <7 days and dehydration requiring intravenous fluids, investigators evaluated the effect of an intravenous 20 mL/kg bolus of 5% dextrose in normal saline compared with normal saline alone on admissions and serum ketone levels. The treating physician determined the need for subsequent fluid administration (with or without dextrose) as well as need for admission (determined per protocol at 3 hours post-bolus).

Of 188 children (median age, 2 years; age range, 6 months to 6 years), 79% had at least moderate dehydration by clinical score. Rates of hospitalization were similar between the dextrose group and the salin…