ROLE OF ERYTHROMYCIN IN THE MANAGEMENT OF GASTRO ESOPHAGEAL REFLUX IN INFANTS
Abstract
Regurgitation and vomiting of milk due to GER is a common problem in infants especially under 6 months of age. It is a self limiting condition and improves as the infant becomes older & starts sitting, but in some cases pharmacological treatment may be required.
Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of erythromycin as a prokinetic agent in otherwise healthy infants with gastro esophageal reflux.
Design: Interventional study
Place & Duration of Study: Outpatient Pediatric Clinic of Govt. Kot Khawaja Saeed Teaching Hospital (KEMU) Lahore. From 1st May 2014 till 31st October 2014.
Patients & Methods: Infants (15 days to 1 year) attending Pediatric Outpatient Clinic who were otherwise healthy except for history of regurgitation and vomiting after feed were included in the study. Erythromycin drops were started in a dose 10-15 mg/kg/day for a period of 2 weeks.
Results: A total of 30 infants, 15 days to 10 months age were included in the study. Male to female ratio was 1.1:1. Twelve infants presented with history of regurgitation, twelve with history of vomiting and six with regurgitation and vomiting both. Twenty infants showed improvement within a week. Four infants showed partial improvement and four did not respond at all, while two infants were lost to follow up.
Conclusion: Erythromycin has been found a helpful drug for the management of regurgitation and vomiting in infants.