Effect of Chronic Proton Pump Inhibitor Use on Serum Magnesium Levels inPediatric Patients

Abstract

Hypomagnesemia has been reported in adult patients on Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) therapy. No studies have described the effect of this class on medications on Magnesium (Mg) levels in children. This was a retrospective cohort study assessing serum Mg levels in patients on PPI therapy followed by a pediatric gastroenterology service at a tertiary center. The study included 31 patients with a mean age of 7.8 years with 74 serum Mg levels. Duration of PPI therapy ranged between few days to more than 8 years. The main indication for PPI therapy was gastroesophageal reflux disease. Only 2 patients, of adult age, had Mg levels below the normal reference limit of 1.6 mg/dL. In one patient, multiple risk factors for hypomagnesemia were noted. For the entire cohort, there was no statistically significant difference in serum Mg levels  over time or with chronic use (defined as more than 2 years). This study did not identify any patient less than 18 years of age with hypomagnesemia while on PPI therapy. Prospective larger long-term pediatric studies may still be needed to better assess the incidence of hypomagnesemia in children on PPI therapy.