english.prescrire.org > Spotlight > Archives : 2011 > In the January issue of Prescrire International: Domperidone - QT prolongation in infants

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In the January issue of Prescrire International:
Domperidone - QT prolongation in infants

FREE DOWNLOAD A French study of 31 newborns and infants receiving domperidone showed statistically significant QTc prolongation. These data confirm that domperidone should not be used to treat mild regurgitation in infants. 
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Summary

  • Domperidone is a “hidden” neuroleptic, mainly used for symptomatic treatment of gastroesophageal reflux.
     
  • It can prolong the QT interval, thus predisposing patients to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia such as torsades de pointes. A French study of 31 newborns and infants receiving domperidone showed statistically significant QTc prolongation. These data confirm that domperidone should not be used to treat mild regurgitation in infants.
     
  • In practice, physiological gastroesophageal reflux is transient and harmless, and does not justify exposing newborns and infants to the adverse effects of domperidone, especially its potentially severe cardiac effects.
     
  • Lifestyle measures should be tried first for infants with physiological gastroesophageal reflux: they include adjusting the infant’s position before and after meals, thickening the formula and slowing its delivery rate, and timing meals appropriately.  

Full text available for free download.

 ©Prescrire January 2011

"Domperidone: QT prolongation in infants" Prescrire Int 2011 ; 20 (112) : 13. (Pdf, free)
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