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Efficacy and Safety of Proton Pump Inhibitors in the Management of Pediatric Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Author(s) -
Tjon James A.,
Pe Michael,
Soscia Joanna,
Mahant Sanjay
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1002/phar.1299
Subject(s) - medicine , gerd , discontinuation , intensive care medicine , disease , pediatrics , observational study , randomized controlled trial , population , reflux , environmental health
Proton pump inhibitors ( PPI s) are commonly prescribed to infants and children for managing gastroesophageal reflux disease ( GERD ). Recently published literature illustrates conflicting evidence on the efficacy of PPI s in infants and children. Randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews have demonstrated a lack of efficacy of PPI s, specifically in young infants. Furthermore, emerging evidence also suggests that PPI s are not as benign as once thought, with newer data implicating a potential association of PPI s with an increased risk of respiratory tract infections, gastrointestinal infections, bone fractures, hypomagnesemia, and the occurrence of rebound hyperacidity after discontinuation of PPI therapy. To summarize the emerging data in children, we reviewed the literature to assess the efficacy and safety of PPI s in managing pediatric GERD . Despite conflicting evidence on the efficacy of PPI s, most studies in children demonstrated some benefit when compared with placebo. With respect to the safety of PPI s in children, only a few small studies and case reports indicated a potential association of PPI s with an increased risk of respiratory tract or gastrointestinal infections, bone fractures, and hypomagnesemia; however, many of those studies had their own limitations. From the review, it is clear that further well‐designed trials and observational studies are needed to shed more light on the efficacy and safety of PPI s in the pediatric population.