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Do Mothers with Heartburn Have Babies with Asthma?

Pregnant women who take PPIs or H-2 blockers to treat heartburn symptoms during pregnancy increase their risk of having babies with asthma.

Heartburn is a common symptom during pregnancy. New research suggests, however, that pregnant women who relieve their reflux with potent acid-suppressing drugs may precipitate unexpected complications for their babies. In fact, they may give birth to babies with asthma (Lai et al, Pediatrics, online Jan. 11, 2018).

Acid-Suppressing Drugs During Pregnancy:

Both proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole (Prilosec) or lansoprazole (Prevacid) and histamine-2 blockers such as famotidine (Pepcid) or ranitidine (Zantac) were associated with a greater risk of asthma in the infants. These findings came from a meta-analysis of eight studies, but none of the studies were randomized controlled trials of acid-suppressing medications. Rather, they were based on medical records of pregnant women.

Children and Babies with Asthma:

The analysis revealed that babies born to women who took PPIs during the pregnancy were about one-third more likely to develop asthma in childhood. Those who took histamine blockers were 57 percent more likely to give birth to a child who later developed asthma. These are relative risks. (The absolute risks are not provided in the study.)

The investigators recommend that women who suffer with heartburn during pregnancy might want to consider other options for heartburn relief. Learn more about non-drug approaches in our Guide to Digestive Disorders.

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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