Reglan Use in Infants

Reglan and Infants
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) effects approximately two-thirds of all infants. Some of the symptoms of GER in infants include regurgitating, spitting up and difficulty feeding. GER typically resolves between six and twelve months of age.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), on the otherhand, is usually due to a poorly coordinated gastrointestinal tract and therefore may affect the child for a longer period of time. Symptoms of GERD include frequent vomiting, frequent or persistent cough, and/or colicky behavior. GERD is also associated with more serious symptoms including feeding problems, poor growth, breathing problems and recurrent pneumonia.

Reglan should only be used in infants after conservative treatments have failed. Examples of conservative treatment include, elevating the head of the baby's crib, holding the baby upright for 30 minutes after a feeding, and/or changing the infant's feeding schedule. If the conservative treatments fail, your pediatrician may recommend a drug like Reglan.

Be sure to discuss the risk of serious side effects including Tardive Dyskinesia with your doctor before starting your infant on Reglan. It is also important to use Reglan only for short-term treatment (4-12weeks) to decrease the likelihood of developing serious side effects.