Antacid and formula effects on gastric acidity in infants with gastroesophageal reflux.

A variety of peptic diseases are treated with antacids. Antacid dose requirements for young children have not been extensively evaluated. Moreover, the effects of formula feedings on antacid requirements are also unknown. We have investigated the effects of antacids and formula feedings on gastric acidity in infants less than 1 year of age. Small formula feedings of 15 mL/kg per feeding significantly improve antacid buffering of 0.5 mL/kg per dose of standard magnesium-aluminum hydroxide antacids.