[QTc interval in newborns with gastroesophageal reflux treated with cisapride and ranitidine]

G Lista1, L Maestri, M Meroni

  • 1U.O di Terapia Intensiva Neonatale, Ospedale Buzzi, ICP Milano, Italia.

Acta Bio-Medica De L'Ateneo Parmense : Organo Della Societa Di Medicina E Scienze Naturali Di Parma
|June 27, 2001
PubMed

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.

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