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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
Simultaneous Laryngopharyngeal and Conventional Esophageal pH Monitoring
Published on: December 14, 2020
Effect of sodium alginate on acid gastroesophageal reflux disease in preterm infants: a pilot study
Begum Atasay1, Omer Erdeve, Saadet Arsan
1School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Sodium alginate effectively reduced acid reflux events in preterm infants. This treatment improved pH-metry measurements and clinical symptoms like vomiting and weight gain, demonstrating safety and efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common in preterm infants.
- Acid reflux events can negatively impact infant health and development.
- Effective and safe treatments for GERD in preterms are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of sodium alginate as an antireflux barrier.
- To evaluate the impact of sodium alginate on pH-metry parameters in preterm infants.
- To determine the safety profile of sodium alginate in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of preterm infants with confirmed GERD underwent 24-hour pH monitoring.
- Intervention involved administering 1 mL/kg of sodium alginate four times daily.
- pH-metry measurements were repeated after 48 hours to assess treatment effects.
Main Results:
- 83% of treated preterm infants showed a positive response to sodium alginate.
- Significant improvements were observed in reflux index, number of reflux events (pH <4), prolonged episodes (>5 minutes), and longest reflux duration.
- Clinical symptoms of vomiting and weight gain also significantly improved.
Conclusions:
- Sodium alginate demonstrates significant efficacy in reducing acid reflux events in preterm infants.
- The treatment is associated with improved clinical outcomes and a favorable safety profile.
- Sodium alginate represents a safe and effective therapeutic option for GERD in preterm infants.
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the antireflux barrier formed by Na alginate on pH-metry-defined acid reflux events in preterms. Four times/day, 1 mL/kg of Na alginate was administered as an intervention to the preterm infants whose gastroesophageal reflux disease was confirmed by 24-hour pH monitoring, and the measurement was repeated after 48 hours. The major outcomes were improvement in the number of reflux events per 24 hours, the duration of the longest episode, the number of episodes >5 minutes per 24 hours, and reflux index on pH-metry. Thirty-four (83%) of 41 preterm infants who completed the study had pathologic measurement on 24-hour pH monitoring; 27 (83%) of the patients responded to treatment, whereas 7 patients (17%) did not. Na alginate treatment significantly improved the number of episodes with pH <4 per 24 hours, the reflux index, the number of episodes >5 minutes with pH <4, and the duration of longest episode with pH <4. Patients showed significant improvement in 2 evaluated clinical symptoms, which were vomiting and weight gain after the treatment. No side effect except thickening of stool in 3 patients was observed. Na alginate treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease in preterm infants seems to be safe and effective.
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