Effects of domperidone therapy on symptoms and upper gastrointestinal motility in infants with gastroesophageal reflux.

We evaluated the effect of domperidone, a novel prokinetic agent, on symptoms and esophageal and gastric motility in 15 infants (six boys), mean age 7.9 months, with moderate to severe gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and upper gastrointestinal motility disturbances. Patients received domperidone orally for 6 weeks and underwent weekly assessment of five GER-associated symptoms, weight change, and side effects. Mean total symptom scores significantly improved after treatment (P less than 0.01). Vomiting, "spitting," and coughing each improved significantly. Postprandial reflux time (defined as esophageal pH less than 4.0) and percent peristaltic esophageal contractions improved significantly (p less than 0.05). Gastric fundic contractions, present in only four infants before treatment, occurred in nine after domperidone administration. Although mean gastric emptying of isotope-labeled formula was not improved, it improved greater than or equal to 10% over baseline in nine patients. Peristaltic amplitude, lower esophageal sphincter pressure, and esophageal acid clearance time were unchanged. Side effects were minimal. We conclude that domperidone is a useful and safe agent for treatment of gastroesophageal reflex in infants because it addresses the motility abnormalities inherent in the pathophysiology of the disorder.