What is the normal dose of an EVAC (electrolyte and water enema) enema, which is a normal saline and glycerine based enema, in children?

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EVAC Enema Dosing in Pediatric Patients

Critical Information Gap

The provided evidence does not contain any information about "EVAC enema" (normal saline and glycerine-based enema) dosing in children. The evidence primarily addresses antibiotic dosing for catheter-related infections, norepinephrine administration, and other unrelated medications.

Available Evidence on Pediatric Enema Use

While specific EVAC enema dosing is not addressed in the evidence, the following information about pediatric enema administration is available:

General Enema Efficacy in Children

  • Various enema solutions (sodium phosphate, soap suds, and compounded solutions) showed no significant difference in stool output effectiveness in pediatric emergency department patients, though soap suds enemas had a significantly higher rate of side effects (10.6%), primarily abdominal pain 1.

  • Milk and molasses enemas demonstrated an 88% success rate when administered at 5-6 mL/kg with a maximum of 135 mL in children aged 2-17 years presenting with constipation 2.

Treatment of Fecal Impaction

  • For rectal fecal impaction in children aged 4-16 years, enemas administered once daily for 6 consecutive days achieved 80% successful disimpaction, comparable to high-dose oral polyethylene glycol (68%, p=0.28) 3.

Clinical Recommendation

For EVAC enema (normal saline and glycerine-based) specific dosing in children, consult the manufacturer's product labeling or institutional pharmacy guidelines, as this information is not available in the current evidence base. Based on the available evidence for similar pediatric enema preparations, a weight-based approach of 5-6 mL/kg (maximum 135 mL) appears reasonable for children over 2 years of age, though this extrapolation should be verified against product-specific recommendations 2.

Important Safety Considerations

  • Monitor for abdominal pain, which was the most common side effect reported with enema administration in pediatric patients 1.

  • Ensure proper administration technique, as nursing practice surveys revealed significant variation in enema administration methods 2.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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