Questionable Safety of Proton Pump Inhibitor Use in Children

Crying and regurgitation are among the most common reasons why parents seek medical care for otherwise healthy infants. These normal infant behaviors, which include gastroesophageal reflux (GER), peak by age 3 to 4 months and generally resolve without any intervention by age 12 months. By contrast, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is defined as GER with complications, including esophagitis, faltering growth, and/or aspiration. Children at high risk for GERD include those with medical complexity and serious, underlying chronic health conditions (eg, cerebral palsy) that frequently impair oromotor function and airway protection, esophageal motility and sphincter coordination, and throughput of gastric contents.
Source: JAMA Pediatrics - Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research