Sucralfate versus cimetidine in the treatment of reflux esophagitis in children.

Peptic esophagitis is a common complication of gastroesophageal reflux. Therapeutic measures aimed at reinforcing the anti-gastroesophageal reflux barrier, reducing acid secretion, or increasing the defense mechanisms of the esophageal mucosa are used to treat this form of esophagitis. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of sucralfate in the treatment of peptic esophagitis in children. We studied 75 patients diagnosed endoscopically as suffering from esophagitis. The age of the patients ranged from three months to 13 years. Gastroesophageal reflux was diagnosed by isotopic investigation and/or radiologically. None of the patients had kidney disease or had received anti-inflammatory drugs, sucralfate, or cimetidine during the preceding two weeks. The patients were divided into three groups of 25. Patients were homogeneous in age, sex, nutritional status, symptoms, and grade of esophagitis. All patients in each group were treated with cimetidine, sucralfate tablets, or sucralfate suspension. No other dietary or postural measures were prescribed. Clinical examinations were carried out on Days 14, 28, 42, and 56, with an endoscopic examination on Day 28. Endoscopy was repeated on Day 56 if the course was unsatisfactory. Statistical examination of the data showed that there were no differences between the three groups. Sucralfate is a useful drug for the treatment of peptic esophagitis in children.