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Acid secretion from birth to adulthood
1Children's Hospital of Greenville Hospital System, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville, South Carolina, USA. jboyle@ghs.org
Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|December 20, 2003
Summary
Infants can maintain a low stomach pH from birth, similar to adults by 24 weeks. Further studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in pediatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Physiology
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
Background:
- Infants, including premature neonates (24 weeks gestational age), can maintain intragastric pH < 4 from birth.
- Maximal acid output in infants by 24 weeks approaches adult levels.
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are effective for reflux in adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate the efficacy of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in infants and children.
- Determine appropriate PPI dosing for pediatric populations.
- Assess potential adverse events of long-term PPI use in children.
Main Methods:
- Further research is required to establish pediatric PPI efficacy.
- Clinical trials are needed to determine optimal pediatric dosing.
- Long-term safety studies are necessary for the pediatric population.
Main Results:
- Infant gastric acid production is significant early in life.
- Adult PPI efficacy suggests potential in pediatrics.
- Data on pediatric PPI use is currently lacking.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric studies are essential to validate PPI use.
- Appropriate dosing and safety profiles for infants and children require investigation.
- Potential side effects like hypergastrinemia and bacterial overgrowth need evaluation in pediatric PPI users.