Study: PPIs Don't Help Asthmatic Children
The common practice of prescribing proton pump inhibitors to children with asthma appears to be without basis, according to the results of a study.
The common practice of prescribing proton pump inhibitors to children with asthma appears to be without basis, according to the results of a study.
Children with asthma often show gastroesophageal reflux (GER) symptoms. Some researchers believe that a failure to treat GER may hinder control of asthma in children, even if patients are being treated with inhaled corticosteroids. In recent years, doctors have routinely prescribed proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for inadequately controlled asthma, whether GER symptoms are present or not, leading to a dramatic increase in pediatric PPI prescriptions between 2000 and 2005.
A team of researchers from the American Lung Association Asthma Clinical Research Centers published
Additionally, the researchers found that taking lansoprazole may actually harm children with asthma. The children who took lansoprazole self-reported more respiratory symptom episodes, including sore throats, bronchitis, and upper respiratory tract infections. Overall, those in the lansoprazole group had a 30% increased risk of reporting a respiratory infection. In addition, the researchers note that a different clinical trial found that infants given lansoprazole contracted more lower respiratory tract infections. The researchers conclude that further studies should be undertaken to investigate the risks associated with long-term PPI use by children.
Ms. Wick is a visiting professor at the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy and a freelance writer from Virginia.
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