A preliminary report on the efficacy of the Multicare AR-Bed in 3-week-3-month-old infants on regurgitation, associated symptoms and acid reflux.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate the efficacy of a 40 degrees supine body position on infant regurgitation, reflux-associated symptoms and acid reflux.


METHODS
Thirty of 52 consecutive infants presenting with frequent regurgitation and reflux-associated symptoms occurring mainly during feeding were evaluated in the Multicare AR-Bed (Peos, Ninove, Belgium). The Infant-Gastroesophageal Reflux Questionnaire-Revised (I-GERQ-R) and an oesophageal pH monitoring were performed at inclusion and after 1 week.


RESULTS
Eight out of 30 (27%) infants did not tolerate the 40 degrees positioning, and had to be taken out of the study within the first 2 days. However, in 22/30 (73%) infants the I-GERQ-R and acid reflux decreased significantly with the Multicare AR-Bed. The mean duration of use of the Multicare AR-Bed was 3.2 months.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this pilot study suggest that a specially made bed that nurses the infant at 40 degrees supine body position reduces regurgitation, acid reflux and reflux-associated symptoms. However, the intervention was open, the sample size small and the withdrawal rate was substantial. Larger trials are needed.
Vandenplas
Y
Y
Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel Kinderen, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium. yvan.vandenplas@uzbrussel.be
De Schepper
J
J
Verheyden
S
S
Devreker
T
T
Franckx
J
J
Peelman
M
M
Denayer
E
E
Hauser
B
B
D001513:Beds; D001942:Breast Feeding; D004867:Equipment Design; D050782:Esophageal pH Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007224:Infant Care / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011187:Posture; D016896:Treatment Outcome