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Published on: December 14, 2020
Electrolyte disturbances in children receiving omeprazole for gastroesophageal reflux disease
Fatemeh Famouri1,2,3, Forough Derakhshani1,3, Yahya Madihi1,2,3
1Department of Pediatric, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Insights
Long-term omeprazole use in children with GERD significantly lowered serum sodium, calcium, and magnesium levels. These electrolyte imbalances, including hypomagnesemia and hypocalcemia, require monitoring during treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Pediatric Endocrinology
Background:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a prevalent condition in children.
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole are standard GERD treatments.
- Long-term PPI use can disrupt electrolyte balance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of long-term omeprazole use on serum electrolyte levels in children.
- To assess changes in magnesium, calcium, sodium, and potassium concentrations.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 97 children (1-15 years) with GERD.
- Serum electrolytes (magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium) measured before and after 4 weeks of omeprazole.
- Clinical manifestations associated with electrolyte imbalance were recorded.
Main Results:
- Omeprazole significantly reduced serum sodium, calcium, and magnesium levels (P < 0.05).
- No significant reduction in serum potassium levels was observed (P > 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Omeprazole treatment may lead to asymptomatic hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia, and hypernatremia in children.
- Close monitoring of electrolytes is crucial for pediatric patients on long-term omeprazole therapy.
Background:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the common gastrointestinal diseases with various side effects. Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs are widely used for their treatment and long-term ingestion, which results in an electrolyte imbalance. This study investigates the changes in serum magnesium, calcium, sodium, and potassium after long-term use of omeprazole in children.
Materials And Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016-2017 on 97 children and adolescents, aged 1-15 years, with GERD, in Isfahan, Iran. Enrolled were patients visiting a referral pediatric gastroenterology clinic (Imam Hossein and Amin Hospitals) examined by an academic pediatric gastroenterologist. Before and 4 weeks after omeprazole administration, clinical manifestations including lethargy, muscle spasm, dyspnea, nausea, vomiting, abnormal heartbeat and deep tendon reflexes, and Chvostek and Trousseau signs were recorded in a data-gathering form. In addition, fasting serum magnesium, calcium, sodium, and potassium were measured.
Results:
The McNemar test results showed that omeprazole can reduce sodium, calcium, and magnesium levels statistically significantly (P < 0.05), but potassium levels do not have a meaningful reduction (P > 0.05).
Conclusion:
Consumption of omeprazole might cause asymptomatic hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia, and hypernatremia in children. Such side effects should be considered in the follow-up of children under treatment with this medication.
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