title: Acid secretion from birth to adulthood.
abstract: All infants, including premature infants as young as 24 weeks' gestational age, are able to maintain an intragastric pH below 4 from the first day of life. By 24 weeks, maximal acid output approaches that in adults. In adult studies, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are highly effective in relieving reflux symptoms and healing reflux esophagitis. Studies are needed to evaluate PPI efficacy and appropriate dosing in infants and children. Consequences such as hypergastrinemia, bacterial overgrowth, and other potential adverse events associated with long-term PPI use also warrant evaluation in the pediatric population.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital of Greenville Hospital System, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville, South Carolina, USA. jboyle@ghs.org
authors.forename: John T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Boyle
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D017494:Proton Pumps / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D017494:Proton Pumps