This systematic review looks at the evidence base for the medical management of gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) in children, which consists of the following options: 

• alteration of the viscosity of the feeds with alginates;
• alteration of the gastric pH with antacids, histamine H2 receptor antagonists, and proton pump inhibitors
• alteration of gut motility with prokinetics (e.g. metoclopramide, domperidone)

 
The authors searched the literature (PubMed, AdisOnline, MEDLINE, and EMBASE) and manually looked through relevant reviews published in the past five years.  Although they state that many of the original studies had significant methodological flaws, they produced the following statements after reviewing the evidence:

• For infant GERD, ranitidine and omeprazole and probably lansoprazole are safe and effective medications, which promote symptomatic relief, and endoscopic and histological healing of oesophagitis.

• Gaviscon® Infant sachets are safe and can improve symptoms of reflux.

• There is less evidence to support the use of domperidone or metoclopramide, and more evidence is needed before other anti-reflux medications can be recommended.

• For older children, acid suppression is the mainstay of treatment. The largest evidence base supports the early use of H2 receptor antagonists or proton pump inhibitors.

[This summary was taken from the abstract of the article].