Ranitidine prophylaxis in acute gastric mucosal damage in critically ill pediatric patients.
We determined the ranitidine dosage necessary to maintain gastric pH at or above 4 in 40 critically ill children. The patients were divided into four groups of ten patients each. They were treated with ranitidine in the following dosages: a) 2 mg/kg by NG tube every 12 h; b) 4 mg/kg by NG tube every 12 h; c) 0.75 mg/kg iv every 6 h; d) 1.5 mg/kg iv every 6 h. The fourth group had a higher median pH than the other groups, in spite of also having the highest risk of acute gastric mucosal damage (AGMD). Eight (80%) of ten patients in the fourth group had a pH greater than or equal to 4 or more than 80% of the study period. We recommend 1.5 mg/kg iv every 6 h for gastric acid inhibition in AGMD prophylaxis in children.
Lopez-Herce Cid
J
J
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, La Paz Children's Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
Albajara Velasco
L
L
Codoceo
R
R
Delgado Dominguez
M A
MA
Jimenez
E
E
Ruza Tarrio
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003422:Critical Care; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D011899:Ranitidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control*
D011899:Ranitidine