Skip to content

How Reflux Medications Affect the Microbiome of Infants

Effect of Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonists on the Microbiome of Full Term Infants

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03747991
Enrollment
12
Registered
2018-11-20
Start date
2018-08-13
Completion date
2019-07-31
Last updated
2024-06-12

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Dysbiosis, GERD

Keywords

Infant GERD, H2RA medication

Brief summary

The changes in the organisms making up the gut microbiota in infants who are taking anti-acid reflux medications (histamine 2 receptor antagonists) as compared to infants who are not taking these medications is not well-studied or understood. Whether these medications change the gut microbiota and microbiome, and what that change may imply for children on these medications, is the focus of this study.

Detailed description

Gut microbiota dysbiosis is associated with diseases ranging from localized gastrointestinal disorders to neurologic, respiratory, metabolic, hepatic, and cardiovascular illnesses. The microbial colonization of the infant gut is known to play a key role in immunologic and metabolic pathways impacting on human health. Disruptions during the complex process of microbial colonization have been shown to increase disease susceptibility during life. A variety of factors are known to influence the gut microbiota, including mode of delivery of neonate, host genetic factors, hose immune response, diet, xenobiotics and other drugs, infections, and environmental microbial exposures. The diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease in the infant population has increased during the past two decades. Acid suppression medications are used commonly in infants for gastroesophageal reflux disease and other acid-related conditions despite little evidence of their efficacy. Multiple studies have shown adverse effects in pediatric patients using either proton pump inhibitors or H2 receptor antagonists, the two classes of acid suppression medications that are most frequently used in children. Some of these adverse effects may result from alterations in the microbiome caused by these medications. Prior studies have demonstrated significant changes in microbial composition of both gastric and intestinal microbiota with proton pump inhibitor use (5), but to the investigators' knowledge, no prior studies have looked at the effect of H2 receptor antagonists on the microbiome in healthy, full term infants.

Interventions

None listed

Sponsors

Nemours Children's Clinic
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
2 Months to 12 Months
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Full term, at least 2 months of age * No exposure OR at least 14 days of exposure to H2-receptor antagonist medication * No exposure to probiotics or antibiotics

Exclusion criteria

* Current or recent (within the past 14 days) gastrointestinal infection (viral, bacterial, or fungal) * Gastrointestinal mucosal disease, or have clinically significant constipation * Any history of exposure to proton pump inhibitors * Unvaccinated infants * Infants with weight-for-length either below the 3rd percentile for age or above the 97th percentile for age * Infants with rapid weight gain, defined as change in weight-for-length z-score exceeding +0.67 from birth to 4 months of age or birth to 6 months of age

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Microbiome taxaAt time of sampling - once at enrollment16S Metagenomic taxonomy of gut microbiome

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026