title: Morbidity and Mortality in Preterm Infants following Antacid Use: A Retrospective Audit.
abstract: Background and Objectives. Antacids are often prescribed to preterm infants due to misdiagnosis of gastro-oesophageal reflux. This suppresses gastric acidity, a major defence mechanism against infection. This study aims to determine if ranitidine and omeprazole use in very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates, <1500 grams, is associated with increased risk of late onset sepsis, necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), and mortality.Methods. Retrospective analysis was conducted on neonates, <1500 grams, born and admitted into theNeonatal Intensive Care UnitatThe Canberra Hospitalduring the period from January 2008 to December 2012. Information regarding late onset sepsis, NEC, mortality, ranitidine/omeprazole use, and other neonatal/hospital factors was collected for each neonate.Results. 360 neonates were evaluated, 64 received ranitidine and/or omeprazole, and 296 had not. There were no statistically significant differences in incidence of late onset sepsis (OR = 0.52, CI = 0.24-1.1, andp= 0.117), NEC Stage 2 and above (OR = 0.4, CI = 0.05-3.2, andp= 0.7), or mortality (OR = 0.35, CI = 0.08-1.5, andp= 0.19) between the two groups. After adjusting significant differences in neonatal and hospital factors, risk of late onset sepsis was significantly lower in those that received ranitidine/omeprazole (OR = 0.28, CI = 0.13-0.65, andp= 0.003).Conclusions. Ranitidine and omeprazole use in VLBW preterm infants may not be associated with an increased risk of infection, NEC, and mortality.
authors.affiliation: Australian National University Medical School, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
authors.forename: Natasha
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6155-0853
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Centenary Hospital for Women and Children, The Canberra Hospital, Woden, ACT 2606, Australia.
authors.forename: Aparna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dhayade
authors.affiliation: Centenary Hospital for Women and Children, The Canberra Hospital, Woden, ACT 2606, Australia.
authors.forename: Abdel-Latif
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4306-2933
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Mohamed
authors.affiliation: Centenary Hospital for Women and Children, The Canberra Hospital, Woden, ACT 2606, Australia.
authors.forename: Tejasvi Vasant
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-6356-8048
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Chaudhari