The effect of using proton pump inhibitors in the health of children
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Reviewed & translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on November 24th, 2023
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Around 70% of infants aged 3 to 4 months encounter gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). In more severe instances, the use of proton pump inhibitors becomes necessary to decrease gastric acid secretion. However, altering the stomach's pH may introduce undesired effects. A recent study delves into the potential risks associated with the use of proton pump inhibitors in pediatric patients.
The retrospective cohort study involved over 1.2 million children with a median age of 84 days, the majority being full-term, and approximately three-fourths falling within the normal weight range. These children were observed for a median duration of 3.8 years, and the findings indicated that the use of proton pump inhibitors elevated the risk of serious infections, both due to bacterial and viral etiology, by 34%. Notably, proton pump inhibitors were linked to an increased risk of infections in various systems, including the gastrointestinal, ear-nose-throat, lower respiratory tract, urinary tract, and nervous system. This heightened susceptibility to infections can be attributed to the suppression of gastric acid secretion, which typically plays a role in neutralizing numerous pathogens. Moreover, the altered control of microbes passing through the gastrointestinal tract due to proton pump inhibitor use may disrupt the gut microbiome, leading to systemic dysfunction.
The retrospective cohort study involved over 1.2 million children with a median age of 84 days, the majority being full-term, and approximately three-fourths falling within the normal weight range. These children were observed for a median duration of 3.8 years, and the findings indicated that the use of proton pump inhibitors elevated the risk of serious infections, both due to bacterial and viral etiology, by 34%. Notably, proton pump inhibitors were linked to an increased risk of infections in various systems, including the gastrointestinal, ear-nose-throat, lower respiratory tract, urinary tract, and nervous system. This heightened susceptibility to infections can be attributed to the suppression of gastric acid secretion, which typically plays a role in neutralizing numerous pathogens. Moreover, the altered control of microbes passing through the gastrointestinal tract due to proton pump inhibitor use may disrupt the gut microbiome, leading to systemic dysfunction.