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[QTc interval in newborns with gastroesophageal reflux treated with cisapride and ranitidine]
1U.O di Terapia Intensiva Neonatale, Ospedale Buzzi, ICP Milano, Italia.
Insights
Low-dose cisapride therapy is safe for infants with gastroesophageal reflux (GER). This study found no significant adverse cardiac effects in pediatric patients receiving this common treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Infant Cardiology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Context:
- Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is prevalent in infants, particularly premature infants.
- GER can manifest with gastrointestinal and cardiorespiratory symptoms.
- Cisapride, a prokinetic agent, is used to manage GER by preventing esophageal sphincter relaxation.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the safety and effects of low-dose cisapride therapy on the QTc interval in infants with GER.
- To assess the cardiac safety profile of cisapride in a pediatric population.
Summary:
- The study investigated cisapride therapy at a dosage of 0.8 mg/Kg/day in 50 infants diagnosed with GER.
- Electrocardiograms (EKGs) were monitored to assess the QTc interval (QT interval corrected for heart rate).
- Results indicated that low-dose cisapride therapy is relatively safe in pediatric patients with GER.
Impact:
- Provides evidence for the safety of low-dose cisapride in managing infant GER.
- Informs clinical practice regarding the use of cisapride in pediatric populations.
- Contributes to understanding the cardiac safety of prokinetic agents in infants.
Abstract:
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is very common in infants, especially in prematures and may be cause of gastrointestinal and cardiorespiratory symptoms. Cisapride, a prokinetic agent, is used in order to avoid the transient esophageal sphincter relaxation, but it is sometimes associated to transient prolongation of QT interval on EKG, especially with high dosage. The authors report the effects of cisapride therapy (0.8 mg/Kg/day) on QTc interval (QTc = QT interval corrected on heart frequency) in a pediatric population (50 infants) with GER. Results demonstrate the relatively safety of cisapride therapy at low dose also in the pediatric period.