The Effects of Ranitidine Treatment on the Risk of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants: A Case-Control Study

Introduction: Gastric acidity plays an important role in the protection of infants against various pathogens from environment. The histamine-2 receptor blockers (H2-blockers) are off-labeled drugs that frequently prescribed preterm neonates to prevent stress ulcers. impact H2-blockers on development necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is still controversial, particularly developing world. Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty-two were enrolled study. multivariate logistic regression model was used identify potential postnatal risk factors associated with NEC. Results: Preterm (n = 51) total NEC, medical surgical NEC had highest rate receiving ranitidine compared controls 71) (39.2%, 19.6%, 47.6%, p < 0.05). Logistic analysis revealed use nosocomial infections significantly (odds ratios 1.55 3.3). Conclusions: We confirm administration increased infants. should be only administered very strictly selected cases after careful consideration risk-benefit ratio.