A new study reveals antireflux medications are being overprescribed in infants. Researchers measured reflux acid from the stomachs of 44 infants in a New Orleans medical center. Only eight babies had abnormal pH levels indicative of gastroesophageal reflux disease, but a whopping 42 of 44 infants were on antireflux meds. Taking away the reflux meds from the babies without GERD did not cause reflux to get worse. Let alone a safe dose for children has not been established, and high doses of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) long-term are associated with hip fracture. Experts are concerned as kids are in the midst of growing bones.

Grrrr! What is going on here? Pediatric gastroenterologist Vikram Khoshoo explained parents think the meds will decrease regurgitation, however PPIs shut down acid production, but do not lessen spit-ups. So upset parents head to the doctor in a state of high anxiety and the doctor willingly prescribes to "get mom off his back."

Khoshoo explained regurgitation is usually a maturational issue, and will disappear by 18 months. During my infant playgroup years of 2001-2005, I met many playgroup moms with spitters. While highly annoyed, they simply carried around a dozen burp cloths and wore old clothes until the worst was over. Not one of them fed their kids antireflux meds. I must have just missed this trainwreck. Check out this earlier post about the astronomical off-label prescriptions being written for children without empirical evidence on safe dosages or efficacy.