Prescription of acid inhibitors in infants: an addiction hard to break

Study on Nocturnal Infant Crying Evaluation (NICE) and Reflux Disease (RED)

BACKGROUND

Nocturnal infant crying is often empirically treated with acid suppressants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in infants with unexplained persistent crying.

METHODS

We enrolled all infants (0-12 months) referred for suspected GER disease who underwent esophageal impedance-pH monitoring (MII-pH) for unexplained persistent crying not improved by parental reassurance, dietary modification or alginate. Gastrointestinal malformation/surgery, neurological impairment and infections were exclusion criteria. Demographic and anthropometric parameters, GER symptoms and questionnaires (I-GERQ-R) and MII-pH data were recorded and analyzed. Normal MII-pH was defined when acid exposure was <3%, symptom index was <50% and symptom association probability was <95%. Acid exposure >5% and >10% was also considered. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-Square and univariate and multivariable regression analysis.

RESULTS

We included 50 infants (median age 3.5 months) who fulfilled the study criteria: 30 (60%) had normal MII-pH. I-GERQ-R score was abnormal in 33 (66%) infants, and 21/33 (64%) had normal MII-pH (p = 0.47). In the 26 (52%) infants with nocturnal crying, MII-pH was normal in 16 (54%) (p = 0.82). Associated regurgitation (>3 or >10 episodes/die) did not predict abnormal MII-pH (p = 0.74, p = 0.82, respectively). Univariate and multivariable regression analysis did not identify any clinical variable significantly associated with abnormal MII-pH.

CONCLUSIONS

Infants with persistent unexplained and nocturnal crying should not be empirically treated with acid inhibitors.

Characteristics of esophageal refluxate and symptoms in infants compared between pre-treatment and on treatment with proton pump inhibitors

OBJECTIVE

To examine longitudinal pH-impedance characteristics from those infants who remained on proton pump inhibitors therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as parents/providers refused to discontinue therapy after 4 weeks.

STUDY DESIGN

Eighteen infants with acid reflux index >3% underwent treatment, and pH-impedance data were compared prior to and on proton pump inhibitors at 42 ± 1 and 46 ± 1 weeks' postmenstrual age, respectively. Esophageal acid and bolus exposure, symptoms and swallowing characteristics were examined.

RESULTS

Proton pump inhibitors reduces the acid-mediated effects of reflux but modifies impedance and clearance mechanisms (P < 0.05). Prolonged therapy did not reduce symptoms (P > 0.05). Infants evaluated while on proton pump inhibitors were 1.8 times more likely to have swallows before and after reflux.

CONCLUSIONS

Prescription of proton pump inhibitors for objectively determined GERD should have time limits, as prolonged treatment can result in prolonged esophageal bolus clearance time without relieving symptoms.

Guidelines on optimizing the use of proton pump inhibitors: PPI stewardship

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been available for over three decades and are among the most commonly prescribed medications. They are effective in treating a variety of gastric acid-related disorders. They are freely available and based on current evidence, use of PPIs for inappropriate indications and duration appears to be common. Over the years, concerns have been raised on the safety of PPIs as they have been associated with several adverse effects. Hence, there is a need for PPI stewardship to promote the use of PPIs for appropriate indication and duration. With this objective, the Indian Society of Gastroenterology has formulated guidelines on the rational use of PPIs. The guidelines were developed using a modified Delphi process. This paper presents these guidelines in detail, including the statements, review of literature, level of evidence and recommendations. This would help the clinicians in optimizing the use of PPIs in their practice and promote PPI stewardship.

Childhood Acid Suppressants May Increase Allergy Risk-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Recent studies suggest that the use of acid suppressants in early childhood may increase the risk of allergic diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review and synthesize associations between the childhood use of acid suppressants and development of allergic diseases.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and Scopus were searched using a systematic search strategy. We included observational or interventional studies that looked at the use of acid suppressants in the pediatric population, in association with allergic outcomes such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and food allergies. Key data were extracted and risk of bias was evaluated according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and a PROSPERO-registered protocol. Maximally adjusted estimates were pooled using mixed-effects models, and heterogeneity was measured using I². Further subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted. Overall quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations framework.

RESULTS

This review included 5 observational studies from 1977 records with low-to-moderate risk of bias. Childhood acid-suppressant use was associated with significantly increased hazards of asthma (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.31-1.58), atopic dermatitis (HR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.10-1.14), and allergic rhinitis (HR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.24-1.58). These associations were adjusted for confounders such as demographics, parental educational level, and use of antibiotics. Overall quality of evidence was low.

CONCLUSIONS

Childhood use of acid suppressants may increase the risk of incident asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis. However, larger studies such as randomized controlled trials are needed to determine causality. These drugs should be used judiciously in pediatric patients, and more stringent guidelines should be advocated.

Exposure to proton pump inhibitors is associated with the development of pediatric autoimmune diseases

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been associated with decreased gut microbiota diversity. Disrupted gut microbiota composition has been reported in several autoimmune diseases (ADs), such as type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM), autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). We investigated whether PPIs are associated with the development of ADs in children and concluded that PPI exposures could be related to the onset of ADs, especially IBD and potentially AIT as well.

Efficacy and safety of medical and nutritional management of gastroesophageal reflux in formula-fed infants: a narrative review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The prescription of proton pump inhibitors has an increasing trend, despite that guidelines recommend nutritional management as first-line management. A thickened antiregurgitation formula is recommended in formula-fed infants. In this review we focus on the novel insights in management of formula-fed infants with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

RECENT FINDINGS

New data are limited. Concerning thickened antiregurgitation formula, locust bean gum has been the most studied and has limited adverse effects. However, positive results were also obtained with pectin. The effect of pro- and prebiotics on regurgitation is unclear. The overlap between cow's milk allergy and gastroesophageal reflux remains a challenge.

SUMMARY

Very limited new data were published during the last 18 months. Thickened antiregurgitation formula is the first-line approach in formula-fed infants with GERD. No specific thickening agent can be recommended because of lack of comparative trials. Proton pump inhibitors are over prescribed in infants.

A quality improvement initiative to reduce acid-suppressing medication exposure in the NICU

BACKGROUND

Acid-suppressing medications (ASMs) are commonly prescribed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), in particular among preterm infants, despite well-established adverse effects and little evidence to support efficacy.

LOCAL PROBLEM

We sought to develop an initiative to reduce ASM exposure in our predominantly inborn level III NICU. Our specific aim was to reduce the number of nonindicated ASM prescriptions by 50% within a 12-month period.

METHODS

Our multidisciplinary team developed an evidence-based guideline defining indications for ASM prescription in a level III NICU. Plan-do-study-act cycles included staff education, formal clinical practice guideline implementation, and implementation of standardized documentation tools in the electronic health record (EHR). Outcome measures were the number of nonindicated and total inpatient prescriptions started per month, duration of ASM prescription, and number of prescriptions continued after NICU discharge. Balancing measures were the number of patients started on thickened feeds and number of patients discharged home on nasogastric tube feeds. We used statistical process control and Pareto charts to assess these measures over a 12-month baseline period, 9-month implementation period, and 19-month post-implementation period spanning September 2017-December 2020.

RESULTS

Nonindicated ASM prescriptions decreased from median 3 to 0 per month from the baseline to post-implementation period. Simultaneously, the median number of ASM prescriptions at discharge declined from 2 to 0 per month. The median duration of inpatient prescriptions declined from 23 to 7 days. Rates of patients started on thickened feeds and patients discharged home on nasogastric tube feeds remained stable throughout the study.

CONCLUSION

Enactment of an evidence-based guideline was associated with a substantial decline in nonindicated ASM use in our NICU and a decline in duration of exposure to ASM's when prescribed. Our interventions proved effective in altering clinical practice and could be applied to other NICUs with similar patient populations aiming to reduce ASM use.

Pediatric Prescriptions of Proton Pump Inhibitors in France (2009-2019): A Time-Series Analysis of Trends and Practice Guidelines Impact

OBJECTIVE

To describe the ambulatory proton pump inhibitor (PPI) prescription in French children, its trends, and the impact of French (2014) and international (2018) clinical guidelines.

STUDY DESIGN

We described PPI prescription rates based on national dispensation data in French children (IQVIA's Xponent database, 2009-2019). Using a segmented linear regression, we assessed the impact of clinical guidelines on PPI prescription rates. Analyses were performed for the overall pediatric population and by age subgroups (infants <2 years old, children 2-11 years old, adolescents 12-17 years old).

RESULTS

During the study period, 8 060 288 pediatric PPI prescriptions were filled, with a mean PPI prescription rate of 52.5 per 1000 inhabitants per year. Between 2009 and 2019, the PPI prescription rate increased by 41% in the overall pediatric population (+110% in infants). The PPI prescription rate showed seasonal patterns with peaks in winter. After the release of French guidelines, significant decreases in trends of prescription rates occurred overall (change in trend -0.28, 95% CI -0.34;-0.23) and across all age groups. In infants, this change in trend was not sufficient to reverse the PPI prescription rate that was still increasing over time. In children, the PPI prescription rate slightly decreased and in adolescents, it was stable. After the release of international guidelines, a significant decrease in trend occurred in adolescents only (change in trend -0.26, 95% CI -0.47; -0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

The pediatric PPI prescription rate in France was high, displayed a major increase over the last decade, mainly among infants, and was modestly affected by clinical guidelines.

A Narrative Review on Efficacy and Safety of Proton Pump Inhibitors in Children

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most prescribed drugs worldwide and include omeprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, and rabeprazole. Their use in pediatrics is approved for children older than 1 year, for the short-term treatment of symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), healing of erosive esophagitis, treatment of peptic ulcer disease, and eradication of Helicobacter pylori. PPIs are also considered the standard of care for pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis. Despite the strict range of indications, the use of this class of molecules has increased in all pediatric age ranges. The long-term gastric acid suppression in children has been linked to increased risks of gastrointestinal and lower respiratory tract infections, bone fractures, and allergy. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the mechanism of actions, use (and misuse) in infants and children, and safety of PPIs.

Acid Suppression Does Not Improve Laryngomalacia Outcomes but Treatment for Oropharyngeal Dysphagia Might Be Protective

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the use of acid suppression and thickened feeds impact laryngomalacia outcomes in infants, including supraglottoplasty risk, time to supraglottoplasty, and hospitalization risk.

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a retrospective cohort study to compare risk and time with supraglottoplasty and frequency and duration of hospitalizations for infants diagnosed with laryngomalacia at Boston Children's Hospital between January 1 and December 31, 2017. The primary outcomes were supraglottoplasty requirement, time to supraglottoplasty, and hospitalization risk. Multivariate analyses were performed to determine predictors of supraglottoplasty and hospitalization risk after adjusting for laryngomalacia severity and comorbidities in addition to propensity score adjustment. Kaplan-Meier curves were created to determine the impact of acid suppression use on time to supraglottoplasty.

RESULTS

In total, 236 subjects with mean age 62.6 ± 4 days were included in the analysis; 55% were treated with acid suppression. Subjects treated with acid suppression had a greater risk of supraglottoplasty (hazard ratio 3.36, 95% CI 1.36-8.29, P = .009), shorter time to supraglottoplasty (5.64 ± 0.92 vs 7.98 ± 1.92 months, P = .006), and increased respiratory hospitalization risk (relative risk 1.97, 95% CI 1.01-3.85, 0.047), even after adjustment for covariates. Subjects receiving thickening had fewer respiratory hospitalization nights and longer time to supraglottoplasty (9.3 ± 1.7 vs 4.56 ± 0.73 months, P = .004), even after adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS

Acid suppression use does not reduce the frequency of supraglottoplasty and related hospitalizations compared with untreated subjects. However, patients treated with thickening have decreased hospitalization and longer time to supraglottoplasty, suggesting that thickening of feeds may be a preferred intervention over acid suppression.

Randomized Clinical Trial of Metoclopramide as Prophylaxis of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Preterm Infants

BACKGROUND

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is more frequent in premature infants. Metoclopramide was introduced routinely in premature babies followed in ambulatory care by the Colombian Kangaroo Mother Care program (KMCP), based on a 2004 Cochrane review.

AIM

Because of the recent controversy on the use of metoclopramide in children, this study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of metoclopramide given as GER disease (GERD) prophylaxis.

METHODS

A randomized clinical trial was conducted between April 2017 and January 2019 in 466 premature infants discharged home and followed at a KMCP. Double-blind allocation to metoclopramide versus placebo was performed, 0.2 mg/kg three times daily, administered 15 min before feeding, up to term. Exclusion criteria were oxygen dependency, any perinatal neurological problem or parent's participation refusal. The incidence of GERD symptoms and adverse events that could be associated with the use of metoclopramide were recorded by parents weekly (e.g., emesis, cyanosis or apnea, post-prandial crying episodes, extrapyramidal symptoms, tremor, and drowsiness).

RESULTS

A total of 466 subjects were recruited, most of them late preterm. The groups' baseline characteristics were similar. Median duration of the intervention was approximately 3 weeks, at which time most patients were at term. In the longitudinal mixed effects analysis, we did not find clinically significant differences in GERD-related symptoms between groups, either in minor or severe side effects.

CONCLUSION

Results show absence of effectiveness in the systematic use of metoclopramide as prophylaxis of GERD symptoms in premature infants. Additionally, no adverse effects attributable to the drug were found. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02907632; September 20, 2016. Retrospectively registered.

An Observational Real-Life Study with a New Infant Formula in Infants with Functional Gastro-Intestinal Disorders

Functional gastro-intestinal disorders (FGIDs) impair the quality of life of many infants and their families. A formula with partial whey hydrolysate, starch, high magnesium content, prebiotic fructo-oligosaccharide and galacto-oligosaccharide and the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 was given during two weeks to 196 infants with at least two FGIDs. The efficacy was evaluated with the Cow Milk-associated Symptom Score (CoMiSS^®) and quality of life with the QUALIN score. The formula was shown to decrease FGIDs within three days (decrease of CoMiSS −1.29 (3.15) (mean (SD), p < 0.0001) followed by an improvement of quality of life after seven days (increase QUALIN +1.4 (7.8); p: 0.008). Constipation decreased from 18.8% to 6.5% within three days. In combination with reassurance and guidance, the nutritional intervention was shown to be effective in infants with FGIDS in real-life circumstances.

Adverse reactions related to proton pump inhibitors in pediatric population: an analysis of spontaneous reporting data

BACKGROUND

The use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has increased in the last 10 years in children. Data regarding their safety profile are limited. The aim of this study was to analyze data from the Italian spontaneous reporting system (SRS) database to evaluate the incidence and characteristics of PPI-related adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in children.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This was an observational, retrospective study analyzing PPI-related ADR reports in children in the Italian SRS database between January 1^st, 2001, and December 31^st, 2020. ADRs were coded according to the system organ class term level. Factors associated with ADR seriousness were investigated.

RESULTS

Seventy spontaneous reports of ADRs related to PPIs were analyzed. Esomeprazole and lansoprazole caused the highest number of ADRs equally (27% respectively), and the most frequently reported ADRs presented with gastrointestinal (24%) and/or skin manifestations (21.3%). More than a half of PPI prescriptions were off label for pediatric population. Serious ADRs were 19 (27.1%). Serious ADRs were more frequent in reports presenting PPIs combined with other drugs in comparison to reports with PPI single therapies (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

PPI-related ADRs in children are mostly not serious, and combination therapy seems to be associated with ADR seriousness.

Cow's Milk Allergy or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease-Can We Solve the Dilemma in Infants?

Cow's milk allergy (CMA) and gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) may manifest with similar symptoms in infants making the diagnosis challenging. While immediate reaction to cow's milk protein indicate CMA, regurgitation, vomiting, crying, fussiness, poor appetite, sleep disturbances have been reported in both CMA and GERD and in other conditions such as functional gastrointestinal disorders, eosinophilic esophagitis, anatomic abnormalities, metabolic and neurological diseases. Gastrointestinal manifestations of CMA are often non-IgE mediated and clinical response to cow's milk free diet is not a proof of immune system involvement. Neither for non-IgE CMA nor for GERD there is a specific symptom or diagnostic test. Oral food challenge, esophageal pH impedance and endoscopy are recommended investigations for a correct clinical classification but they are not always feasible in all infants. As a consequence of the diagnostic difficulty, both over- and under- diagnosis of CMA or GERD may occur. Quite frequently acid inhibitors are empirically started. The aim of this review is to critically update the current knowledge of both conditions during infancy. A practical stepwise approach is proposed to help health care providers to manage infants presenting with persistent regurgitation, vomiting, crying or distress and to solve the clinical dilemma between GERD or CMA.