Key messages

Gastro-oesophageal reflux is common in infants. But it is often misdiagnosed and treated unnecessarily with acid suppression therapy (AST).

AST has been shown to have no benefit for infants with gastro-oesophageal reflux or unsettled behaviours. In fact, the latest evidence shows ASTs are associated with an increased risk of gastroenteritis, community-acquired pneumonia, Clostridium Difficile infection, fractures and micronutrient deficiencies and asthma in infants.

Please use our clinical and parent resources to reduce unnecessary prescribing.

Please note that this guidance is currently undergoing review by Safer Care Victoria to ensure  the content is up to date. In the meantime, we recommend that you also refer to more contemporaneous evidence where possible.

In collaboration with The Royal Children’s Hospital and three Victorian public hospitals, we have developed a number of clinician and parent/caregiver resources to reduce unnecessary prescribing of acid suppression therapies in infants in the Reducing unnecessary prescribing in infant reflux project.

Download the resources

SCV endorses The Royal Children’s Hospital clinical practice guidelines for managing gastro-oesophageal reflux and unsettled behaviours in infants.

Get in touch

Clinical Guidance Team
Safer Care Victoria
clinicalguidance@safercare.vic.gov.au

Version History

Last reviewed: May 2020

Due for review: May 2023
 

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