The efficacy of sodium alginate (Gaviscon) for the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux in preterm infants.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Gastro-oesophageal reflux is common in preterm newborns; at present, no studies have evaluated the efficacy of sodium alginate in this population.

AIM:

To evaluate the effect of sodium alginate on gastro-oesophageal reflux features in preterm newborns by combined pH and impedance monitoring (pH-MII).

METHODS:

Thirty-two symptomatic preterm newborns underwent a 24 h pH-MII, during which each baby was fed eight times. Sodium alginate was given four times at alternate meals [drug-given (DG) vs. drug-free (DF) meals]. Gastro-oesophageal reflux features (i.e. number, acidity, duration and height of gastro-oesophageal reflux) after DG and DF meals were compared by Wilcoxon signed ranks test.

RESULTS:

Sodium alginate significantly decreased the number of acid gastro-oesophageal reflux detected either by pH monitoring (DG vs. DF: median 17.00 vs. 29.00, P = 0.002) and MII (DG vs. DF: 4.0 vs. 6.00, P = 0.050), and also acid oesophageal exposure (DG vs. DF: 4.0% vs. 7.6%, P = 0.030), without any influence on non-acid gastro-oesophageal reflux. Furthermore, it decreased the number of gastro-oesophageal reflux reaching proximal oesophagus (DG vs. DF: 5.50 vs. 7.50, P = 0.030).

CONCLUSIONS:

The use of sodium alginate in preterm infants seems to be promising, because this drug decreases gastro-oesophageal reflux acidity and height with the advantage of a nonsystemic way of action and a more favourable safety profile over H2 blockers and PPIs.

• Authors: L Corvaglia, A Aceti, E Mariani, M De Giorgi, M G Capretti, G Faldella
• Journal: Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics (Aliment Pharmacol Ther) Vol. 33 Issue 4 Pg. 466-70 (Feb 2011) ISSN: 1365-2036 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21158879 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Chemical References

• Alginates
• Antacids
• Drug Combinations
• Silicic Acid
• Aluminum Hydroxide
• alginate, aluminium hydroxide, magnesium trisilicate, sodium bicarbonate drug combination
• Sodium Bicarbonate

Topics

• Alginates (therapeutic use)
• Aluminum Hydroxide (therapeutic use)
• Antacids (therapeutic use)
• Drug Combinations
• Female
• Gastric Acidity Determination
• Gastroesophageal Reflux (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Infant, Premature
• Infant, Premature, Diseases (drug therapy)
• Male
• Silicic Acid (therapeutic use)
• Sodium Bicarbonate (therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome