OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of proton pump inhibitors in reducing vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, and chest infections in institutionalised neurologically impaired children with gastroesophageal reflux. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: A regional hospital, Hong Kong. PATIENTS: Neurologically impaired children with refractory gastroesophageal reflux. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Episodes of vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, and pneumonia in the baseline and proton pump inhibitor treatment periods. RESULTS: Nine children received proton pump inhibitor therapy for a median duration of 81 days. Mean reflux index was 9.3% (standard deviation, 5%). Dosage of omeprazole used was 1.0-2.3 mg/kg/d. Vomiting was reduced significantly with proton pump inhibitor treatment (median vomiting index [baseline]=0.4, median vomiting index [proton pump inhibitors]=0.2; P<0.05). No significant decrease in gastrointestinal bleeding or chest infection was observed. CONCLUSION: Proton pump inhibitors significantly reduced vomiting episodes in neurologically impaired children with gastroesophageal reflux.
OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of proton pump inhibitors in reducing vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, and chest infections in institutionalised neurologically impaired children with gastroesophageal reflux. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: A regional hospital, Hong Kong. PATIENTS: Neurologically impaired children with refractory gastroesophageal reflux. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Episodes of vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, and pneumonia in the baseline and proton pump inhibitor treatment periods. RESULTS: Nine children received proton pump inhibitor therapy for a median duration of 81 days. Mean reflux index was 9.3% (standard deviation, 5%). Dosage of omeprazole used was 1.0-2.3 mg/kg/d. Vomiting was reduced significantly with proton pump inhibitor treatment (median vomiting index [baseline]=0.4, median vomiting index [proton pump inhibitors]=0.2; P<0.05). No significant decrease in gastrointestinal bleeding or chest infection was observed. CONCLUSION: Proton pump inhibitors significantly reduced vomiting episodes in neurologically impaired children with gastroesophageal reflux.