Kids pop heartburn drugs
The number of young children on prescription drugs for heartburn and other digestive problems jumped about 56% in recent years.
By Agencies |
CHICAGO: The number of young children on prescription drugs for heartburn and other digestive problems jumped about 56% in recent years and researchers say obesity and overuse might be contributing to the surprising increase. The surge was found in a Medco Health Solutions analysis released Thursday of US prescription data for 2002-2006. It suggests that more than 2 million US children 18 and under used drugs for digestive or gastrointestinal complaints last year.
“It’s a signal that something’s going on that we need to keep an eye on,” said Dr Robert Epstein, Medco’s chief medical officer. “Whether it’s parents getting their children diagnosed more frequently, or obesity,” or other factors, “it bears further study,” he said. Researchers at Medco, a pharmacy benefits management company based in Franklin Lakes, NJ, analysed prescription drug claims of more than 5,75,000 US children.
They calculated that 5,57,259 infants and children up to age 4, or about 3% of youngsters in that age range, were taking these drugs last year. That’s about a 56% increase from 2002. There was a 31% increase among children aged 5 to 11, climbing to an estimated 5,51,653 children, or 2% in that age group in 2006, the analysis found. Almost 1 million children aged 12 to 18 had prescriptions for the drugs last year, but that was up only 6% over 2002.
Acid-reducing drugs called proton pump inhibitors are the most common medicines prescribed for GI problems, the analysis said. They are used for acid reflux associated with heartburn, and a related condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.
Some of these, including Prevacid, were approved for use in children during the study period, which likely also contributed to the prescription surge, said Dr Benjamin Gold, an Emory University specialist in children’s digestive diseases.
Heartburn is a common complication of being overweight and the surge happened during the nation’s rising obesity epidemic, said Dr Renee Jenkins, president-elect of the American Academy of Paediatrics. She noted that more than 10% of US pre-schoolers and 30% of olTo avoid overuse, Jenkins said parents should be willing to try non-drug approaches for treating reflux and other digestive problems in young children.
“It’s a signal that something’s going on that we need to keep an eye on,” said Dr Robert Epstein, Medco’s chief medical officer. “Whether it’s parents getting their children diagnosed more frequently, or obesity,” or other factors, “it bears further study,” he said. Researchers at Medco, a pharmacy benefits management company based in Franklin Lakes, NJ, analysed prescription drug claims of more than 5,75,000 US children.
They calculated that 5,57,259 infants and children up to age 4, or about 3% of youngsters in that age range, were taking these drugs last year. That’s about a 56% increase from 2002. There was a 31% increase among children aged 5 to 11, climbing to an estimated 5,51,653 children, or 2% in that age group in 2006, the analysis found. Almost 1 million children aged 12 to 18 had prescriptions for the drugs last year, but that was up only 6% over 2002.
Acid-reducing drugs called proton pump inhibitors are the most common medicines prescribed for GI problems, the analysis said. They are used for acid reflux associated with heartburn, and a related condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.
Some of these, including Prevacid, were approved for use in children during the study period, which likely also contributed to the prescription surge, said Dr Benjamin Gold, an Emory University specialist in children’s digestive diseases.
Heartburn is a common complication of being overweight and the surge happened during the nation’s rising obesity epidemic, said Dr Renee Jenkins, president-elect of the American Academy of Paediatrics. She noted that more than 10% of US pre-schoolers and 30% of olTo avoid overuse, Jenkins said parents should be willing to try non-drug approaches for treating reflux and other digestive problems in young children.
Start a SIP with as low as ₹500 with ET Money App!
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
