Nausea and vomiting in children and adolescents receiving intrathecal methotrexate: A prospective, observational study

Abstract

Background

The prevalence of nausea and vomiting after receipt of intrathecal methotrexate (IT-MTX) in pediatric oncology patients is unknown.

Methods

Patients (4–18 years) about to receive IT-MTX were eligible to participate in this prospective, observational study. Patients received antiemetics as prescribed by their clinical team. Nausea severity (patient-assessed), timing of emetic episodes, and administration of antiemetics were recorded beginning immediately prior to IT-MTX administration, for the next 24 hr (acute phase), and for a maximum of 7 additional days (delayed phase). Complete chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) control was defined as no emetic episodes and no nausea.

Results

One hundred patients consented to participate in this study; 70 provided evaluable data (mean age: 8.3 years; range: 4.1–17.6). Most (94%) received propofol-containing anesthesia for IT-MTX administration. Most (89%) received a 5-HT3 antagonist prior to IT-MTX. During the acute phase, 36 children (51%) experienced complete CINV control, 67 (96%) complete vomiting control, and 36 (51%) complete nausea control. Severe acute phase nausea was reported by 12 children (17%). During the delayed phase, 35 patients (50%) experienced complete CINV control, 60 (86%) complete vomiting control, and 36 (51%) complete nausea control. Severe nausea was reported in the delayed phase by 27 (39%) patients.

Conclusions

Most pediatric patients who received IT-MTX and prophylaxis with ondansetron or granisetron experienced complete acute and delayed vomiting control. However, nausea control was poor and severe nausea was reported by many children. Effective interventions to control nausea are needed.

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