Use of Proton-Pump Inhibitors in Infants and Children

PPIs are not effective in infants, but this analysis suggests that a trial of PPIs might be warranted in children and adolescents with gastroesophageal reflux.

The use of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) in infants and children has increased substantially during recent years. Investigators aimed to conduct a systematic review of 12 studies involving 895 children (age range, 0–17 years) to examine the efficacy and safety of PPIs when used to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and gastric acidity. Heterogeneity among the studies prevented a formal meta-analysis, so the investigators reviewed results by age groups as follows:

Efficacy in infants: PPIs were no more effective than placebo in reducing irritability and spilling (4 studies) and were more effective than hydrolyzed formula (1 study).
Efficacy in children: PPIs were equally effective in reducing GERD symptoms as a control (h…

Reviewing Author

Howard Bauchner, MD

Disclosures

Grant / research supportHuman Resources and Services Administration; NIH; NIH-NHLBI; USDA; GlaxoSmithKline

Editorial boardsArchives of Disease in Childhood (Editor-in-Chief)

Howard Bauchner, MD

Disclosures

Grant / research supportHuman Resources and Services Administration; NIH; NIH-NHLBI; USDA; GlaxoSmithKline

Editorial boardsArchives of Disease in Childhood (Editor-in-Chief)

Use of Proton-Pump Inhibitors in Infants and Children

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Reviewing Author