Pharmacologic Therapy for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Children.

Evidence-Based Answer Among infants younger than 12 months diagnosed with GERD, weak evidence supports the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine H2 antagonists. Among children 12 months and older, studies have shown moderate benefit from PPIs and weak benefit from H2 antagonists for providing symptomatic relief and/or improving histologic or pH indices of disease. No serious adverse effects were noted in the studies reviewed for any of the treatments. (Strength of Recommendation: B, based on inconsistent randomized controlled trials [RCTs].)