Use of a new thickened formula for treatment of symptomatic gastrooesophageal reflux in infants.
BACKGROUND
Paediatricians are familiar with infants complaining of regurgitation and emesis from gastrooesophageal reflux. These subjects, usually growing satisfactorily and healthy, are affected by "functional" or "symptomatic" gastrooesophagel reflux and are treated with posture changes and thickened feedings.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate in infants with symptomatic gastrooesophageal reflux the effect of a new formula (Nutrilon AR), containing carob flour/locus bean gum as a thickening agent; both clinical features and oesophageal acid exposure were evaluated.


METHODS
Twenty-four infants (age range: 5-11 months; median age: 8 months; 8 females) presented at our Unit with a history of chronic postprandial regurgitation.


METHODS
During a 24-hour intraoesophageal pH test a traditional formula thickened with rice flour at a concentration of 5% was alternated with the formula Nutrilon AR; thereafter infants were randomly allocated to receive, for two weeks, either a traditional thickened formula or the new formula, in addition to posture changes.


RESULTS
Intraoesophageal acid exposure was significantly lower in the periods following the new formula than after traditional formula; at the end of the treatment period patients receiving the new formula had a more significant decrease of both symptomatic score and number of episodes of emesis than patients on traditional formula.


CONCLUSIONS
The new available formula, with the characteristics of a thickened meal, is better than a formula, traditionally thickened with added rice flour, in the conservative treatment of infants with symptomatic gastrooesophageal reflux.
Borrelli
O
O
Department of Paediatrics, University of Naples Federico II, Italy.
Salvia
G
G
Campanozzi
A
A
Franco
M T
MT
Moreira
F L
FL
Emiliano
M
M
Campanozzi
F
F
Cucchiara
S
S
D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture