Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Children: A Literature Review and Recommendation for Antiemetic Prophylaxis in Resource Limited Countries

Chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) are the most common side effects that impacts quality of life in children receiving cancer treatment. Inadequately controlled CINV impairs functional activity increases healthcare utilization compromises treatment adherence. The availability new antiemetic agents results substantially improvement emetic control; however, real-world practice, many developing countries have limited access to newly-developed agents. This is a major obstacle achieving adequate control. Recent studies recommended “triple therapy” regimen (a 5-HT3 antagonist, dexamethasone, neurokinin-1 antagonist), as backbone for prophylaxis. Olanzapine, an atypical antipsychotic drug improves control adult patients. Together with ‘triple olanzapine now first line prophylaxis adults highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Herein, we reviewed recent published guidelines prevention children. Furthermore, due accessibility antagonists, proposed institutional guideline replace antagonist olanzapine, which might be more reasonable terms economic constraints resource countries.