Effects of cefuroxime axetil combined with Xingpi Yanger granules on the serum gastrin, motilin, and somatostatin levels in children with upper respiratory tract infection accompanied by diarrhea: results of a randomized trial

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of cefuroxime axetil combined with Xingpi Yanger granules on the treatment of upper respiratory tract infection accompanied by diarrhea and on serum gastrin (GAS), motilin (MOT), and somatostatin (SS) levels in children. METHODS: In total, 124 children with upper respiratory tract infection accompanied by diarrhea admitted to the department of pediatrics in our hospital from May 2019 to May 2020 were selected and divided into a study group (n=62) and a reference group (n=62), according to admission number. The reference group children received routine treatment, while the children in the study group were treated with cefuroxime axetil combined with Xingpi Yanger granules. After treatment, each clinical index of the children in both groups was detected to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the different treatment methods. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in gender ratio, average age, mean body temperature, mean duration of diarrhea, average weight, or place of residence between the 2 groups (P>0.05); the total clinical effective rate after treatment in the study group was significantly higher than that in the reference group (P<0.05); the dehydration correction time, antipyretic time, antidiarrheal time, and total treatment time in the study group were all significantly lower than those in the reference group (P<0.001); the serum GAS and MOT levels at T1, T2, and T3 in the study group were significantly lower than those in the reference group (P<0.001), whereas the SS levels at T1, T2, and T3 in the study group were significantly higher than those in the reference group (P<0.001); and the incidence of adverse reactions of the children in the study group was significantly lower than that in the reference group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Cefuroxime axetil combined with Xingpi Yanger granules can significantly lower serum GAS, MOT, and SS levels and shorten treatment time in children with upper respiratory tract infection accompanied by diarrhea, with significant clinical efficacy and high safety, and is thus worthy of application and promotion. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100049234.