Effect of Myrtle Syrup on Refractory Pediatric Gastroesophageal Reflux in an Eight-Year-Old Boy: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is the most common disorder of childhood. GER can continue to\xa0older ages, reducing quality of life. Unfortunately, therapeutic interventions treatments are not always successful.\xa0It is the first report of pediatric GERD treatment in Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM).Case Presentation: An 8-year-old boy with recurrent GER and chronic abdominal pain was referred to a\xa0Traditional Medicine clinic. The child had suffered from severe irritability and recurrent regurgitation since\xa0infancy. Endoscopy was performed in the second year of life and severe esophagitis found. He was treated with\xa0oral omeprazole (1 mg/kg/day divided in 2 doses). After a month, abdominal pain and irritability continued.\xa0His problems remained until the age of five despite use of medication. Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) occurred\xa0in December 2013. In that month he was hospitalized twice times. In February 2014, he was admitted to the\xa0clinic of traditional medicine, due to poor feeding and abdominal pain. He was diagnosed with GER and\xa0stomach weakness. Myrtus communis (Myrtle) syrup 2.5 cc three times daily and quince jam for breakfast were\xa0prescribed. Abdominal pain improved after two months of treatment and within 2 years of follow-up his general\xa0condition was excellent. During this time there were no signs or symptoms of reflux recurrence.Conclusion: Myrtle is useful in reducing edema, and strengthening the stomach and gastrointestinal tract. The\xa0effect of “quince” in the treatment of GERD is similar to omeprazole, while it also has other properties such as\xa0strengthening the LES. These fruits overcome the most common mechanisms of GER and have a direct role in\xa0the patient’s improvement.