Related Experiment Videos
Omeprazole in infants with cimetidine-resistant peptic esophagitis
Insights
Omeprazole effectively treated peptic esophagitis in infants unresponsive to cimetidine. This proton pump inhibitor significantly reduced symptoms and endoscopic signs of esophagitis, improving infant health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Peptic esophagitis is a common condition in infants.
- Cimetidine is a common treatment, but some infants do not respond.
- Alternative treatments are needed for refractory cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of omeprazole in infants with peptic esophagitis.
- To assess omeprazole's impact on clinical symptoms, endoscopic findings, and gastric acidity.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 12 infants with peptic esophagitis (grade 2) received omeprazole (0.5 mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks.
- Clinical assessment and endoscopy were performed before and after treatment.
- Gastric pH monitoring was conducted in 7 infants during treatment.
Main Results:
- Omeprazole treatment resulted in a significant decrease in esophagitis symptoms.
- Endoscopic and histologic evidence of esophagitis showed marked improvement.
- Intragastric acidity was substantially reduced during omeprazole therapy.
Conclusions:
- Omeprazole is an effective treatment for infants with peptic esophagitis.
- It offers a viable alternative for infants refractory to cimetidine.
- Omeprazole improves clinical outcomes and reduces esophageal acid exposure.
Abstract:
Twelve neurologically normal infants (age 2.9+/-0.9 months) with peptic esophagitis (grade 2) who did not respond to cimetidine (in addition to positioning, cisapride, and Gaviscon) were treated with omeprazole, 0.5 mg/kg once a day, for 6 weeks. The effectiveness of omeprazole was evaluated in all infants by clinical assessment and endoscopy before and after treatment and by 24-hour gastric pH monitoring during treatment in seven infants. Omeprazole therapy led to a marked decrease in symptoms, endoscopic and histologic signs of esophagitis, and intragastric acidity.