Investigation and management of gastro-oesophageal reflux in United Kingdom neonatal intensive care units

Comparison of direct effects of rice-thickened formula vs routine feeds on symptoms and gastroesophageal reflux indices: A crossover cohort study

BACKGROUND

We compared the direct effects of routine vs rice-thickened formula on 24-h pH-impedance and symptom characteristics and then examined if dietary effects were modified by acid reflux index severity in infants.

METHODS

Forty infants under consideration for gastroesophageal reflux disease and therapies were evaluated at 43 ± 1 weeks postmenstrual age. Each infant was equally fed routine diet and thickened formula during evaluations. Postprandial sessions were analyzed for acid reflux index, reflux events, clearance times, distal baseline impedance, and symptoms.

RESULTS

Thickened formula has no effect (P ≥ 0.05) on acid reflux events' characteristics or overall symptom frequency. However, refluxate height and frequency of weakly acidic events and cough were decreased (P < 0.05). Prolonged bolus clearance and a decrease in distal baseline impedance were noted with thickened feeds (vs routine feeds) when acid reflux index was >7 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our pH-impedance testing protocol identifies direct effects of potential therapies at the point of care. Acutely, thickened formula does not impact acid-specific reflux indices but decreases full-column reflux and cough reflexes. In those with an acid reflux index of >7, thickened formula prolongs the distal esophageal bolus clearance (the mechanisms of which are uncertain). Clinical trials are needed to clarify objective indications and therapeutic use of thickened formulas for infants with gastroesophageal reflux disease, along with short- and long-term side effects.

Efficacy and Safety of Domperidone in Combination with Proton Pump Inhibitors in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials

The aims of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) treatment are symptom relief and healing of oesophagitis. Besides proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), prokinetic agents are also commonly prescribed to treat GERD. Domperidone, a well-known antiemetic, is an example of a prokinetic agent. It is a dopaminergic blocker that increases lower oesophagus sphincter pressure and activates gastric motility. We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the benefits of domperidone in addition to PPI therapy for GERD. We searched for publications comparing PPI plus domperidone to PPI monotherapy in terms of symptom improvement in GERD (until 21 April 2022) on PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, WHO’s International Clinical Studies Registry Platform, and ClinicalTrials.gov without restricting date, language, or study design. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021242076). This meta-analysis incorporated 11 studies with a total of 841 participants (419 in the PPI plus domperidone group and 422 in the PPI monotherapy group). The combination of a PPI and domperidone resulted in a significant reduction in global GERD symptoms. Adverse events associated with PPI plus domperidone treatment were similar to those associated with PPI monotherapy. In conclusion, the combination of domperidone and a PPI is generally safe and effective in treating GERD as compared with that of PPI alone.

Anti-reflux medication use in preterm infants

BACKGROUND

Current recommendations do not support the use of anti-reflux medications to treat gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) among preterm infants.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the prevalence of GORD and the use of anti-reflux medications amongst very preterm infants (<32 weeks' gestational age (GA)) in neonatal units in England and Wales.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study using the National Neonatal Research Database.

RESULTS

Among 58,108 infants [median GA (IQR) 29 (27-30) weeks], 15.8% (n = 9191) had a diagnosis of GORD and 36.9% (n = 12,446) received anti-reflux medications. Those who received anti-reflux medications were more preterm [GA, median (IQR): medications, 28 (26-30) vs. no medications, 30 (28-31); p < 0.001] and had lower birth weight [mean (SD): medications, 1124 g (354) vs. no medications, 1265 g (384); p < 0.001]. Most (57%, n = 12,224) received Gaviscon, or Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist (H2RA) (56%, n = 11,959). Over time, prokinetic use has declined substantially, the use of H2RAs and Gaviscon has reduced although they continue to be used frequently, whilst the use of PPIs has increased.

CONCLUSIONS

Anti-reflux medications are frequently prescribed in very preterm infants, despite evidence to suggest that they are not effective and may be harmful. Clear guidelines for diagnosing GORD and the use of anti-reflux medications are required to rationalise the pharmacological management of GORD in preterm infants.

IMPACT

Anti-reflux medications are frequently prescribed, often without a diagnosis of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, to very preterm infants while in the neonatal unit and at discharge. Half of the infants born at <28 weeks' gestational age receive anti-reflux medications in hospital and a quarter are discharged home on them. Although the use of prokinetics declined following alerts of adverse events, histamine2-receptor antagonists and alginates such as Gaviscon continue to be used and the use of proton-pump inhibitors has increased more than 2-fold.

Role of feeding strategy bundle with acid-suppressive therapy in infants with esophageal acid reflux exposure: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that a feeding bundle concurrent with acid suppression is superior to acid suppression alone in improving gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) attributed-symptom scores and feeding outcomes in neonatal ICU infants.

METHODS

Infants (N = 76) between 34 and 60 weeks' postmenstrual age with acid reflux index > 3% were randomly allocated to study (acid-suppressive therapy + feeding bundle) or conventional (acid-suppressive therapy only) arms for 4 weeks. Feeding bundle included: total fluid volume < 140 mL/kg/day, fed over 30 min in right lateral position, and supine postprandial position. Primary outcome was independent oral feeding and/or ≥6-point decrease in symptom score (I-GERQ-R). Secondary outcomes included growth (weight, length, head circumference), length of hospital stay (LOHS, days), airway (oxygen at discharge), and developmental (Bayley scores) milestones.

RESULTS

Of 688 screened: 76 infants were randomized and used for the primary outcome as intent-to-treat, and secondary outcomes analyzed for 72 infants (N = 35 conventional, N = 37 study). For study vs. conventional groups, respectively: (a) 33% (95% CI, 19-49%) vs. 44% (95% CI, 28-62%), P = 0.28 achieved primary outcome success, and (b) secondary outcomes did not significantly differ (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Feeding strategy modifications concurrent with acid suppression are not superior to PPI alone in improving GERD symptoms or discharge feeding, short-term and long-term outcomes.

IMPACT

Conservative feeding therapies are thought to modify GERD symptoms and its consequences. However, in this randomized controlled trial in convalescing neonatal ICU infants with GERD symptoms, when controlling for preterm or full-term birth and severity of esophageal acid reflux index, the effectiveness of acid suppression plus a feeding modification bundle (volume restriction, intra- and postprandial body positions, and prolonged feeding periods) vs. acid suppression alone, administered over a 4-week period was not superior in improving symptom scores or feeding outcomes. Restrictive feeding strategies are of no impact in modifying GERD symptoms or clinically meaningful outcomes. Further studies are needed to define true GERD and to identify effective therapies in modifying pathophysiology and outcomes. The improvement in symptoms and feeding outcomes over time irrespective of feeding modifications may suggest a maturational effect. This study justifies the use of placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial among NICU infants with objectively defined GERD.

Impact of Feeding Strategies With Acid Suppression on Esophageal Reflexes in Human Neonates With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Single-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial

INTRODUCTION

Aims were to test hypothesis that esophageal provocation-induced reflexes are superior with acid suppression plus feeding modifications vs acid suppression alone among infants treated for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

METHODS

Infants (N = 49, 41.3 ± 2.6 of postmenstrual age) with acid reflux index >3% underwent longitudinal motility testing (weeks 0 and 5) with graded midesophageal provocation to test randomly allocated therapies (4 weeks' proton pump inhibitor [PPI] ± feeding modifications) on sensory-motor aerodigestive reflexes. Feeding modification included restricted fluid volume <140 mL/kg per day, fed over 30 minutes in right lateral position and supine postprandial position. Primary motility outcome was frequency-occurrence of peristaltic reflex. Secondary outcomes included upper esophageal sphincter contractile reflex, lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation reflex, respiratory change, and symptom characteristics.

RESULTS

Treatment groups did not differ for primary outcome (odds ratio = 0.8, 95% confidence interval 0.4-1.6, P = 0.99) or secondary outcomes (all P > 0.05). For both treatment groups at follow-up, distal esophageal contraction and LES tone decreased, and LES relaxation reflex occurrence is less frequent (all P < 0.05). In a subgroup analysis, comparing infants with PPI washout (N = 40) vs with continued (N = 9) PPI therapy, no differences were noted for aerodigestive reflex response frequency-occurrence (all P > 0.05).

DISCUSSION

In infants with GERD, feeding modification with acid suppression is not superior to acid suppression alone in modifying aerodigestive reflexes (frequency, sensation, or magnitude). Contiguous areas targeted by GER, i.e., LES and distal esophageal functions, worsened at follow-up for both groups despite PPI therapy. Maturation is likely the key factor for GERD resolution in infants, justifying the use of placebo in clinical trials for objectively determined GERD.

It Is a Wrap! Or Is It?: The Role of Fundoplication in Infant Feeding Intolerance

Purpose: Fundoplication is one of the most common procedures performed by pediatric surgeons, frequently for gastroesophageal reflux with feeding intolerance. No consensus exists in its management, with multiple institutions opting for medical therapy over surgical intervention. Methods: A case-based survey was administered at a national pediatric surgery conference. Clinical vignettes described former-premature infants with reflux and feeding intolerance with or without failure to thrive (FTT), neurological impairment, complex cardiopathy, and respiratory symptoms. Odds ratios (ORs) for fundoplication were calculated from participants' responses. Results: Surgeons elected to perform fundoplication in 14%-74% of cases. The OR for performing fundoplication in the presence of FTT was 1.84 (confidence interval [CI] 1.34-2.54, P = .0002) overall, achieving significance in subgroup analysis for cardiopathy (OR 3.56, CI 1.88-6.71, P = .0001) and neurological impairment (OR 1.79, CI 1.04-3.07, P = .04), but not in the absence of these comorbidities (OR 1.05, CI 0.61-1.83, P = .86). The OR for fundoplication in the presence of neurological impairment was 1.97 (CI 1.34-2.90, P = .0005) and that for cardiopathy was 1.70 (CI 1.20-2.40, P = .003), independent of FTT status. In subgroup analysis, the greatest predictors for fundoplication were neurological impairment with FTT (OR 2.63, CI 1.55-4.48, P = .0004) and complex cardiopathy with FTT and cough/syncope (OR 7.14, CI 4.05-12.58, P < .0001). Presence of cardiopathy without FTT had the overall lowest odds of fundoplication (OR 0.40, CI 0.21-0.78, P = .006). Conclusion: Surgeons tend to perform fundoplication in the presence of FTT and other comorbidities, particularly when these are concurrent. Respiratory symptoms are a strong predictor for fundoplication in patients with complex cardiopathies.

Detection of gastro-oesophageal reflux in the neonatal unit

AIM

To determine whether a pH probe or multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII) more frequently detected gastro-oesophageal reflux and test the hypothesis that acid reflux was associated with lower baseline impedance.

METHODS

A prospective study of infants in whom reflux was suspected and evaluated using combined pH and multichannel impedance. Studies were considered abnormal if the acid index was >10% or there were >79MII reflux events in 24 hours. The acid index was the percentage of total study time with a pH

RESULTS

Forty-two infants [median gestational age 31 (range 23-42) weeks] were assessed. Only nine infants (21%) had abnormal studies, seven detected by pH monitoring, one by MII monitoring and one by both techniques (p = 0.04). After correcting for gestational age and post-natal age, baseline impedance remained negatively correlated with the acid index (r = -0.34, p = 0.038) and the maximum ACT (r = -0.44, p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

Clinical suspicion of reflux was frequently incorrect, and reflux was more frequently detected by a pH probe. The inverse relationship of acid reflux to baseline impedance suggests that mucosal disruption may result from acid reflux in this population.

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Key Words

• Baseline oesophageal impedance
• Multichannel intraluminal impedance
• pH study

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MESH Headings Collapse

Grants

• National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London

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Affiliation(s)

Thomas Rossor MRC Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, King's College London, London, UK Department of Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
Ingran Lingam Neonatal Intensive Care Centre, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
Abdel Douiri Department of Primary Care and Public Health Sciences, King's College London, London, UK NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, King's College London, London, UK
Ravindra Bhat Neonatal Intensive Care Centre, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
Anne Greenough MRC Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, King's College London, London, UK Department of Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, King's College London, London, UK

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Antacid therapy for gastroesophageal reflux in preterm infants: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Gastro-oesophageal reflux is prevalent in preterm infants. Despite widespread use in clinical practice, there is still much controversy over the efficacy and safety of drug interventions, particularly antacid therapy.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the effects of antacid therapy on preterm infants with symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux, and to assess the safety of these interventions.

METHODS

We carried out an electronic search of the Cochrane central register of controlled trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library), MEDLINE (1966-present), EMBASE (1980-present) and CINAHL (1982-present) as well as other online sources. Participants were preterm infants (<37 weeks gestation) with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease who were receiving care on a neonatal unit. We assessed the effects of histamine-2 receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors and alginates against placebo, primarily to see if they reduced the symptoms of reflux.

RESULTS

Six studies were included in this review. Meta-analysis could not be carried out due to a lack of studies assessing the same intervention with the same outcomes. Omeprazole therapy significantly reduced the oesophageal acid exposure percentage time with pH<4 (p<0.01) and sodium alginate significantly decreased gastro-oesophageal reflux episodes (p=0.024). Metoclopramide and ranitidine showed a significant increase in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms versus placebo (p<0.04). No significant results were found for the use of esomeprazole or lansoprazole versus placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

There is insufficient evidence available to conclude whether antacid therapy is effective or safe when treating gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in preterm infants. Further research is needed into this topic and caution should be taken when administering antacids to preterm infants.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42017078778.