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Feed thickener for newborn infants with gastro-oesophageal reflux

R C Huang1, D A Forbes, M W Davies

  • 1Gastroenterology, Princess Margaret Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia, Roberts Road, GPO D184, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. rae_chi@hotmail.com

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|July 26, 2002
PubMed

Insights

No studies support or refute feed thickeners for infant gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR). Current evidence is insufficient to recommend thickening agents for managing GOR in newborns.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Evidence-Based Medicine

Background:

  • Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) is a prevalent condition in newborn infants.
  • Feed thickeners are frequently employed as a primary management strategy for infant GOR.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of feed thickeners in reducing GOR signs and symptoms in neonates.
  • To assess the impact of feed thickeners on acid reflux episodes and oesophagitis via pH monitoring and histological analysis.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review was conducted searching multiple databases (MEDLINE, Cochrane, CINAHL) and conference proceedings up to December 2001.
  • Included were randomized controlled trials comparing thickened feeds to unthickened feeds in neonates with GOR.
  • Study selection and quality assessment were performed by two independent reviewers.

Main Results:

  • No randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review.
  • Consequently, no studies were available to analyze the effects of feed thickeners.

Conclusions:

  • There is a lack of evidence from randomized controlled trials to support or refute the use of feed thickeners for GOR in newborn infants.
  • Without supporting evidence, the use of thickening agents for managing infant GOR cannot be recommended.
Abstract

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