Children With GERD Can Go Undiagnosed for Months

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- When is a child's stomachache more than an upset stomach? The answer is not clear, but when stomachaches occur frequently, it could be a symptom of pediatric gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. More than 15 million adult Americans suffer from GERD; it is also common and often overlooked in children.

A new consumer survey of 210 mothers of children diagnosed with pediatric GERD showed that an average of more than two months passed between when the child first showed frequent symptoms or complained of stomachaches until the time they were diagnosed with pediatric GERD. The survey was developed in conjunction with the Pediatric Adolescent Gastroesophageal Reflux Association (PAGER).

Recognizing the symptoms of pediatric GERD can be a challenge for parents. Many symptoms of this disease are also common ailments afflicting children, including frequent stomachaches, nausea, vomiting and belching.

"Pediatric GERD is a serious condition that has been associated with chronic respiratory conditions such as cough, bronchitis, hoarseness and pneumonia. In the most severe cases, pediatric GERD can cause malnutrition and even failure to thrive," said pediatric gastroenterologist Susan Maisel, MD. "The results of this survey raise concerns about the lack of knowledge mothers may have about the symptoms of pediatric GERD. It is important for parents to discuss their child's symptoms with their pediatrician."

"Not surprisingly, the survey revealed as many as 80 percent of parents turn to the Internet for information on pediatric GERD. In fact, PAGER's Web site, www.reflux.org, takes 100,000 hits each month," says Beth Anderson, director of PAGER. "While the Internet is a great first step for parents to learn about pediatric GERD, we urge parents to speak with their child's physician for proper diagnosis and treatment options."

Furthermore, the survey revealed that less than half of mothers of children without GERD did not know it is a common condition in children.

"If mothers are familiar with the possible symptoms of GERD, children may receive a diagnosis from their doctor in a more timely manner," said Maisel. "For my pediatric GERD patients, I usually recommend diet and lifestyle changes in conjunction with a prescription like Prevacid, if needed."

The survey consisted of 1,000 interviews with mothers of children between the ages of 12 months and 17 years, and was conducted by Yankelovich and funded by TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc.

About Prevacid® (lansoprazole)
Prescription Prevacid is approved for GERD in children aged 1-17 years. Individual results may vary. Prevacid Capsules, Prevacid SoluTab™ (lansoprazole) Orally Disintegrating Tablets, and Prevacid for Oral Suspension may not be right for everyone. Symptom relief does not rule out other serious stomach conditions. Prevacid has a low occurrence of side effects in adults and children including diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, dizziness, constipation and headache. Please see the full prescribing information and visit www.prevakids.com.

Survey Methodology
Yankelovich fielded a total of 1,000 interviews with females between the ages of 18 and 65 who have at least one child between the ages of 12 months and 17 years via an online consumer panel. The interviewing period began Sept. 14, 2005, and concluded Sept. 22, 2005. Yankelovich estimates with 95 percent certainty that the overall results have a sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points and the sampling error for those who have a child under 18 living in their household is plus or minus six percentage points.

About Pediatric Adolescent Gastroesophageal Reflux (PAGER) Association
PAGER Association was founded in 1992 to provide support and information to parents, professionals and children dealing with acid reflux disease. Help can be found through the Web site at www.reflux.org or by calling 301-601-9541.

About TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc.
TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc., located in Lake Forest, Ill., is a joint venture between Abbott, headquartered in Abbott Park, Ill., and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, of Osaka, Japan. TAP markets Prevacid and Lupron Depot® (leuprolide acetate for depot suspension).

Source: TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc.

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