Concerns are growing about the usage of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and the incidence of fractures in adults. Few researche have looked into this risk in pediatric patients. This study compared fractures and fracture sites in pediatric patients who had been exposed to PPI to those who had not. Between July 1, 2011, and December 31, 2015, encounters for patients aged 6 months to 15.5 years were discovered in the Pediatric Hospital Information System database. Chronic diseases, disorders, or medicines that predispose to fracture were excluded. If a charge for PPI was documented, the interaction was categorized as a PPI encounter. PPI interactions were matched to non-PPI encounters on the basis of inclination. Following the initial contact, patients were assessed for hospitalizations due to fracture during a 2-year period. The PPI-exposed group had a statistically significant increased risk of fractures. After controlling for remaining differences in gender, ethnicity, encounter type, payer, and resource intensity, the effect remained statistically significant, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.2. The most prevalent location for fracture was the upper extremities; however, the PPI group was more likely to suffer from the lower extremity, rib, and spinal fractures.
According to this study, pediatric children who use PPI have an increased risk of fracture. PPI exposure was associated with a greater risk of lower limb, rib, and spine fractures among patients hospitalized with a fracture when compared to controls. This appears to be a class effect unrelated to any specific PPI drug.
