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Results of the gastroesophageal reflux assessment in wheezy children
O Karaman1, N Uzuner, B Değirmenci
1Dokuz Eylül University Medical Faculty, Department of Pediatrics, Izmir, Turkey.
Insights
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a factor in childhood respiratory issues. GER scintigraphy is a sensitive, noninvasive tool for diagnosing GER in children with recurrent wheezing.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is increasingly recognized in pediatric respiratory symptoms.
- Wheezing in children often necessitates considering GER in the differential diagnosis.
- While esophageal pH monitoring is standard, radionuclide studies offer high sensitivity for GER evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the frequency of GER in children with recurrent wheezing and/or vomiting using GER scintigraphy.
- To assess the utility of GER scintigraphy as a diagnostic tool in this pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 82 children (mean age 17.4 months) with recurrent wheezing and/or vomiting underwent GER scintigraphy.
- GER scintigraphy was utilized to quantify the incidence of GER.
- Data analysis focused on the prevalence of GER in relation to specific symptoms.
Main Results:
- GER was identified in 18 out of 82 children (21.9%).
- The incidence of GER was 21.1% in children with recurrent wheezing.
- GER was detected in 16.6% of children presenting with recurrent vomiting.
Conclusions:
- GER scintigraphy is a valuable, noninvasive, and easily applicable method for evaluating GER in children.
- The findings support the consideration of GER scintigraphy in the diagnostic workup of pediatric recurrent wheezing.
Abstract:
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is implicated in the pathogenesis of respiratory symptoms in childhood. It should be taken into account especially in the differential diagnosis of children presenting with wheezing. Although, oesophageal pH monitorization has been reported to be the best technique in the evaluation of GER, radionuclide studies have also been shown to be very sensitive recently. In this study, 82 children presenting with recurrent wheezing (n = 74) and/or vomiting (n = 28) (mean age 17.4 months; range 3-48 months) were evaluated. GER scintigraphy was performed to determine the frequency of GER. GER was determined in 18 of the 82 cases (21.9%). The GER was found in 21.1% of children with recurrent wheezing and in 16.6% of children suffering from recurrent vomiting. GER scintigraphy should be kept in mind in the evaluation of children with the complaint of recurrent wheezing since it is a noninvasive and easily applicable method.