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The efficacy of sodium alginate (Gaviscon) for the treatment of gastro‐oesophageal reflux in preterm infants
Author(s) -
Corvaglia L.,
Aceti A.,
Mariani E.,
De Giorgi M.,
Capretti M. G.,
Faldella G.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
alimentary pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.308
H-Index - 177
eISSN - 1365-2036
pISSN - 0269-2813
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2010.04545.x
Subject(s) - reflux , gastro , medicine , gastroenterology , sodium , disease , chemistry , organic chemistry
Summary Background Gastro‐oesophageal reflux is common in preterm newborns; at present, no studies have evaluated the efficacy of sodium alginate in this population. Aim To evaluate the effect of sodium alginate on gastro‐oesophageal reflux features in preterm newborns by combined pH and impedance monitoring (pH‐MII). Methods Thirty‐two symptomatic preterm newborns underwent a 24 h pH‐MII, during which each baby was fed eight times. Sodium alginate was given four times at alternate meals [drug‐given (DG) vs. drug‐free (DF) meals]. Gastro‐oesophageal reflux features (i.e. number, acidity, duration and height of gastro‐oesophageal reflux) after DG and DF meals were compared by Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Results Sodium alginate significantly decreased the number of acid gastro‐oesophageal reflux detected either by pH monitoring (DG vs. DF: median 17.00 vs. 29.00, P = 0.002) and MII (DG vs. DF: 4.0 vs. 6.00, P = 0.050), and also acid oesophageal exposure (DG vs. DF: 4.0% vs. 7.6%, P = 0.030), without any influence on non‐acid gastro‐oesophageal reflux. Furthermore, it decreased the number of gastro‐oesophageal reflux reaching proximal oesophagus (DG vs. DF: 5.50 vs. 7.50, P = 0.030). Conclusions The use of sodium alginate in preterm infants seems to be promising, because this drug decreases gastro‐oesophageal reflux acidity and height with the advantage of a nonsystemic way of action and a more favourable safety profile over H2 blockers and PPIs.