Ginger, the everyday kitchen condiment is an effective anti-emetic
Ginger, the hot fragrant spice, is effective in treatment of vomiting in children with acute gastroenteritis.
A study presented at the 51st ESPGHAN (European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition) Annual Meeting at Geneva reported this.
Acute gastroenteritis is one of the most common conditions resulting in admission to paediatric emergency departments world over.
Acute gastroenteritis is an infection of the gut (stomach and intestines) that causes diarrhoea and vomiting. Globally, there are between 3-5 billion cases of acute gastroenteritis each year and vomiting is reported in three out of four children suffering the condition.
Diarrhoea is the second leading cause of death in children under five years of age in the world, killing an estimated 525,000 children in 2015, according to the WHO factsheet.
Diarrhoeal disease are caused by bacterial, viral and parasitic infections, mostly spread by faeces-contaminated water.
In India, according to the National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS-4) prevalence of diarrhoeal diseases in children is 9.2% and 117,285 children under five (10%) died of diarrhoea in 2015-16.
Previous studies have found ginger to be effective in treating vomiting in pregnant women and adult patients undergoing chemotherapy but this is the first research to study effectiveness of ginger in children.
The double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial looked at 141 children between the ages of 1 and 10 with acute gastroenteritis and compared the effectiveness of ginger with a placebo in treating the condition. The results showed that the number of vomiting episodes was 20% less in the group treated with ginger and the number of children missing school for at least one day was 28% less in the group treated with ginger.
The study concluded that ginger is effective at reducing both the duration and the severity of vomiting. It was carried out by Dr Roberto Berni Canani an associate Professor of Pediatrics, Department of Translational Medical Science – Section of Pediatrics, Italy and his team of researchers.
“Acute gastroenteritis is not just an unpleasant condition for children. It has a significant burden on parents, schools and healthcare systems. We anticipate that the results will have a great impact on future clinical practice and the advice given to parents in the treatment of acute gastroenteritis and could potentially save lives across Europe and the globe. Research should now focus on whether ginger could also be effective in treating vomiting children who are not affected by acute gastroenteritis,” said Dr. Berni Canani.
Ginger contains certain compounds known as shogaols and gingerols that help to give instant relief from the vomiting and nausea. It also improves appetite and digestion, reduces throat and nasal congestion and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Previous studies have found ginger to be effective in treating vomiting in pregnant women and adult patients undergoing chemotherapy but this is the first research to study effectiveness of ginger in children.
 Annual Meeting at Geneva reported this.){kind=link}