Methoclopramide for Gastroesophageal Reflux in Premature Infants

Justification: Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) is a condition that affects the majority of premature infants that are followed at the Kangaroo Mother Care Program. The incidence of GRE in premature infants can oscillate between 22 and 85% depending on the criteria used to diagnose GER, which can vary among healthcare professionals.

For over 20 years, the use of metoclopramide has been systematic among all preterm infants according to the protocols of the Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) Program. These protocols were established according to the recommendations emitted by the Cochrane Collaboration in 2006, nevertheless according to new studies published in the last years, the controversial evidence referring the use of metoclopramide given the eventual possibility of adverse effects and the lack of evidence in premature infants, it is necessary to evaluate whether it is pertinent to continue the use of metoclopramide in premature infants and the risk of adverse effects.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and security of metoclopramide to lessen the symptoms of GRE in premature infants that are followed and treated in the Ambulatory KMC Program before 40 weeks of gestational age.

Design: Randomized, double blind trial, controlled with placebo. Eligible Population: Premature infants that are followed and treated in the Ambulatory KMC Program at Hospital Universitario San Ignacio before 40 weeks of gestational age, which systematically receive: metoclopramide 0.2 mg per kg, every 8 hours, 15 minutes before every feeding up to 40 weeks of gestational age, between April 1 2017 and January 31 2019. Intervention: Blind and randomized allocation to the experimental treatment (metoclopramide 0.2 mg per kg, every 8 hours, 15 minutes before every feeding up to 40 weeks of gestational age) or placebo.

Outcomes: Incidence of regurgitation episodes reported by the parents of the infants, episodes of apnea, bronchoaspiration, postprandial irritability, the infant rejects feeding, alteration in the postprandial posture and the frequency and severity of adverse effects associated with the use of metoclopramide such as extrapyramidal symptoms and sedation. In the case of continuous variables, the mean and median will be compared according to the distribution and for nominal variables, a chi squared test or fisher test will be carried out.Intervention: Blind and randomized allocation to the experimental treatment (metoclopramide 0.2 mg per kg, every 8 hours, 15 minutes before every feeding up to 40 weeks of gestational age) or placebo.

Expected Results: Reliable information regarding the use of metoclopramide in premature infants for the prevention of regurgitation episodes associated to apnea, cyanosis, irritability, rejection of feeding efforts, bronchoaspiration and poor weight gain as well as adverse effects.

Duration: 12 months. Ethical Aspects: Experiment with minimum mayor risk. Informed consent will be requested to parents. An independent committee from the work group will be in charge of carrying out the follow-up of the safety and progression of the study. A methodological expert, a thematic expert, a statistician and an expert in bioethics will constitute the committee.

Financial Disclosure: The study will be funded through the Kangaroo Foundation with the collaboration of the " Hospital Universitario San Ignacio", Bogota, Colombia.

Inclusion criteria

Preterm infants followed at ambulatory Kangaroo Mother Care Program(KMCP) in Hospital San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia.

Exclusion criteria

Hipoxic- Ischemic Encephalopathy. Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL). Intraventricular hemorrhage grade 3 or 4. Severe dystonia Seizures. Liver failure. Renal insufficiency. Previous adverse events with the use of Metoclopramide. Parents don´t agree participation.