An article published yesterday [12/26/06] in the Journal of the American Medical Association has received wide spread press coverage. Researchers studying a database of patients in the UK found that older adults with hip fractures were more likely to be on a PPI. The theory is that using a PPI may interfere with the body's ability to absorb calcium from foods.

This conclusion is not shocking since many vitamins and minerals absorb better when there is acid in the stomach. Most will still absorb OK without acid but the best absorption happens when acid is present. There have been isolated reports of low iron and low vitamin B12 in patients taking PPIs and other acid reducing medications.

This is valuable information that you should discuss with your child's doctor. Nutrition is very important for growing bodies, but being pain-free is also very important. A PPI may be the only realistic option. You and your doctor need to watch nutrition issues to be sure your child gets enough vitamins and minerals to accommodate any poor absorption issues.

This article has good coverage and comments from the three big PPI manufacturers:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/131/117904.htm

There is an additional theory now circulating that you may want to discuss with your doctor: old or weak bone tissue is constantly being reabsorbed by the body and rebuilt. Before it can be reabsorbed, it has to be dissolved - by tiny cells called osteoclasts that produce acid deep inside the bone. Nobody had proof that those cells are being affected by taking a PPI but there is a theory that these cells might be disabled by taking a PPI or other acid reducers.

You can read more about this new theory in Science News:
http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20070106/fob1.asp