Risk of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth with chronic use of proton pump inhibitors in children.

It is possible that prolonged use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may increase the risk of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). This is because chronic acid suppression may alter the intraluminal environment leading to growth of bacteria in the small intestine. There have been numerous studies that examined the risk of SIBO in adults taking PPIs but the results have been inconclusive. This studies goal was to determine the incidence of SIBO in children who regularly use the PPI’s. The study enrolled 83 children of whom 56 were taking PPI and the rest used as controls.  The result was 9% of the children taking PPI’s tested positive for SIBO while 4% of the controls tested positive for SIBO.  While the study lacked statistical significance the results bear out that SIBO should be at least considered in children taking PPI’s over an extended period of time.

REF: Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2016 Dec 27

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28030512