Antacid Bezoar in a Newborn

Abstract

Antacid therapy is commonly used in the medical management of peptic ulcers and massive gastric bleeding. A similar approach has been employed in newborn infants with stress ulcers in order to reduce the total load and concentration of gastric hydrochloric acid during massive acute gastric bleeding.1 Antacid therapy may cause aluminum hydroxide "bezoar" in a newborn infant. This report confirms this possibility and suggests a rationale for its occurrence and therapy. CASE REPORT This newborn infant was born at 40 weeks' gestation with a birth weight of 3.3 kg, following an uneventful pregnancy and labor. A large left diaphragmatic hernia caused severe anoxia requiring resuscitation in the delivery room.

Effect of Magnesium Alginate Plus Simethicone on Gastroesophageal Reflux in Infants

“…Both Mg alginate and thickened formula were not associated with significant clinical adverse effects. Adult studies demonstrated that sodium alginate can cause electrolyte disorders (29), whereas in pediatric populations it has been demonstrated that precipitation of alginate in the stomach can form a bezoar, responsible for a possible increase in reflux frequency (30)(31)(32).…”