Study: Infants' GERD Symptoms Do Not Improve From Proton-Pump Inhibitors

Proton-pump inhibitors do not effectively treat gastroesophageal reflux disease in infants, according to a study published in Pediatrics.

Researchers conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials and crossover studies involving the efficacy and safety of PPIs in children with GERD. They found that infants' GERD symptoms did not consistently improve from PPIs. Results for children and adolescents showed that PPIs were equally effective as alginates, ranitidine or a different PPI dosage.

The review also found six studies in which treatment-related adverse events were similar for PPIs, placebo and a different PPI dosage.

The authors suggest a need for more placebo-controlled trials in older children and studies of the safety of PPIs.

Read the Pediatrics abstract on proton-pump inhibitors for children with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

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