Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 26, 2026

Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness and Safety of Shugan Jieyu Capsules for the Treatment of Insomnia
Published on: February 17, 2023
Association between histamine-2 receptor antagonists and adverse outcomes in neonates: A systematic review and
Victor S Santos1, Marina S Freire2, Ruth N S Santana2
1Centre for Epidemiology and Public Health. Federal University of Alagoas, Arapiraca, Brazil.
Background:
The use of histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RA) in neonates is still debated because of possible risk of infection, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and increased mortality.
Aim:
To review whether the use of H2RA in neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICU) is associated with infection, NEC or mortality.
Materials And Method:
We performed a systematic search in PubMed, Web of Science and SCOPUS databases using the terms "histamine-2 receptor antagonists", "infection", "necrotizing enterocolitis", "mortality", "neonates" and related terms to identify studies published up to April 30, 2017. We included studies conducted in hospitalized neonates and exposed to H2RA. The primary outcomes were infection, NEC and mortality. We included reports of infections with clinical signs and positive culture, and NEC according to Bell stages (stage ≥II) based on standardised clinical and radiologic criteria. Among 1,144 studies identified, 10 fulfilled the selection criteria. Information extracted included study design, sample size and number of participants, along with the outcomes of interest. We conducted a meta-analysis of adjusted data and pooled estimates of infection, NEC and mortality are reported as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).
Results:
Ten studies were analysed. There were substantial associations between H2RA and infection (pooled OR: 2.09; 95%CI: 1.35-3.24; P = 0.001) and NEC (pooled OR: 2.81, 95%CI: 1.19-6.64; P = 0.02) but not with the mortality risk (pooled OR: 1.76; 95%CI: 0.50-6.16; P: 0.38).
Conclusion:
Current evidence suggests that H2RA is associated with an increased risk of infection and NEC, but not with mortality in neonates admitted to NICU. The use of H2RA in neonates must be stringently considered when necessary.
More Related Videos
08:36Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Adjuvant Efficacy and Safety of Angong Niuhuang Pill in Viral Encephalitis Treatment
Published on: April 19, 2024
07:41A Kinetic Fluorescence-based Ca2+ Mobilization Assay to Identify G Protein-coupled Receptor Agonists, Antagonists, and Allosteric Modulators
Published on: February 20, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Acid Suppressive Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Histamine H2-Receptor Antagonists
meta-Directing Deactivators: –NO2, –CN, –CHO, –⁠CO2R, –COR, –CO2H
Drug-Receptor Interaction: Antagonist
Antagonists can be classified as competitive or noncompetitive based on their...
Antiasthma Drugs: Muscarinic Receptor Antagonists
Antimuscarinic agents compete with ACh for the same binding site on the muscarinic receptors. By binding to these receptors, they inhibit the downstream effects of ACh and block the parasympathetic...
Adrenergic Antagonists: ɑ and β-Receptor Blockers
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists