Chanchai Traivaree. efficacy of dexamethasone for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with intrathecal chemotherapy and ketamine sedation in children with leukemia. Master's Degree(Health Development). Chulalongkorn University. Center of Academic Resources. : Chulalongkorn University, 2010.
efficacy of dexamethasone for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with intrathecal chemotherapy and ketamine sedation in children with leukemia
Abstract:
Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether vomiting and nausea associated
with intravenous ketamine and intrathecal chemotherapy may be reduced by the addition of prophylactic
dexamethasone in children.
Design: A randomized, double-blinded, crossover, placebo-controlled trial
Setting: Department of Pediatrics, Phramongkutklao Hospital
Methods: The study was completed in thirty-three children receiving intrathecal chemotherapy
with methotrexate 12mg and ketamine sedation at Pharmongkutklao Hospital. Patients were randomly
assigned in a double-blinded fashion to receive one of two interventions at the first period, either an
infusion of normal saline or intravenous dexamethasone at 0.25 mg/kg/dose. Each patient acted as his or
her own control, and each patient was studied at least 2 times.
Results: Period effect, sequence effect and carry over effect were not demonstrated. The absolute
risk reduction of vomiting was significantly greater after infusion of dexamethasone than placebo at
33.3 % (p=0.02). Fifteen patients (45.5 %) in the treatment group nausea versus 26 patients (78.7 %) in
the placebo group reported (p= 0.007). There was no any complication from dexamethasone.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that intravenous dexamethasone reduced vomiting induced
by intrathecal chemotherapy and ketamine sedation, with no significance side-effects, and may be
recommended a reasonable option before intrathecal chemotherapy