A Queensland GP is crusading against the overuse of proton pump inhibitors for crying infants, warning the treatment is unwarranted and potentially harmful.
Dr Pamela Douglas, who led a recent BMJ review on excessive crying in newborns, said expert consensus held that gastro-oesophophageal reflux was not to blame.
Nor was any there evidence that PPIs were better than placebo in reducing crying, despite being commonly prescribed for this indication.
Unnecessary use of PPIs could however increase the risk of lower respiratory tract infection, and possibly food allergies, Dr Douglas told Australian Doctor.
"We really shouldn’t be using PPIs in these babies," she said.
"I think there's an element of hoping that there might be a quick fix, because parents do present stressed and exhausted.
"But the vomiting, back...
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