title: Natural evolution of infantile regurgitation versus the efficacy of thickened formula.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Regurgitation is frequent in infants. We evaluated changes in regurgitation among patient groups fed standard formula, standard formula subsequently thickened with cereal, or formula manufactured with bean gum as a thickening agent.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, blinded, randomised 1-month intervention trial evaluating the efficacy of parental reassurance of the regurgitating child in combination with 3 formula interventions--standard infant formula (group A); 5 g of rice cereal added to 100 mL standard formula (group B); and formula manufactured with bean gum as a thickening agent (group C)--was performed in 60 infants presenting with more than 4 episodes of regurgitation and/or vomiting per day during the week before inclusion. Formula intake, infant comfort, stool aspects, and weight gain were evaluated. All of the infants and data recorded by parents in a diary were evaluated weekly by a blinded health care professional.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, groups A, B, and C were similar for all of the parameters. After the 1-month intervention, regurgitation/vomiting decreased significantly in all 3 groups (P < 0.0005). Although the decrease was largest in group C (-4.2 +/- 2.1 episodes/day), the incidence did not differ significantly with groups A or B. At no evaluation interval was there a difference in volume of formula intake, infant comfort, stool frequency, or aspect. After 1 month, weight gain was significantly greater in group C compared with group A (19.9% vs 16.4%; P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thickening of formula decreases regurgitation, but not significantly. Parental reassurance remains the cornerstone of the treatment of infant regurgitation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Health, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia.
authors.forename: Badriul
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hegar
authors.forename: Rastra
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rantos
authors.forename: Agus
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Firmansyah
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: De Schepper
authors.forename: Yvan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Vandenplas
mesh_terms: D003672:Defecation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002523:Edible Grain; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005881:Gingiva; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014783:Viscosity; D014839:Vomiting / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology