ROLE OF ERYTHROMYCIN IN THE MANAGEMENT OF GASTRO ESOPHAGEAL REFLUX IN INFANTS

  • DR. MARYAM WAHEED Amna Inayat Medical College and Kishwar Fazal Teaching Hospital, Sheikhupura
  • DR. SADIA CHIRAGH Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore
Keywords: Erythromycin, GER (gastro esophageal reflux), GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease), LES (Lower esophageal sphincter)

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.

Author Biographies

DR. MARYAM WAHEED, Amna Inayat Medical College and Kishwar Fazal Teaching Hospital, Sheikhupura

Associate Professor of Pediatrics

DR. SADIA CHIRAGH, Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore

Professor of Pharmacology

Published
2015-03-01