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Long-lasting reflux episodes in gastroesophageal reflux and its complications in children

A Kostovski1

  • 1Pediatric Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Skopje, Macedonia.

Hepato-Gastroenterology
|July 13, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Long-lasting gastroesophageal reflux (GER) episodes are more frequent and longer in children with reflux esophagitis (RE). This finding highlights the role of prolonged reflux in the development of complicated GER in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) research
  • Esophageal pH Monitoring studies

Background:

  • Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is common in children, with potential complications like reflux esophagitis (RE).
  • Understanding the characteristics of reflux episodes in complicated GER is crucial for diagnosis and management.
  • Long-lasting reflux episodes may be a key factor in the development of RE.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hypothesis that long-lasting reflux episodes are more prevalent and extended in children with complicated GER, specifically reflux esophagitis.
  • To compare reflux episode characteristics between children with and without GER and its complications.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study involving 120 children (2 months to 14 years) diagnosed with GER or its complications using computed 24-hour pH monitoring (C24hpHM).
  • Patients were categorized into control (no GER), functional GER, GER with respiratory disease, and reflux esophagitis (RE) groups.
  • Key parameters analyzed included the number of reflux episodes (NRE), episodes longer than 5 minutes (EL5), and the longest reflux episode (LRE).

Main Results:

  • No significant difference in procedure duration across groups.
  • Significant differences in reflux parameters were observed between the control group and the RE group (p<0.05).
  • Patients with RE exhibited a significantly higher number of EL5 and longer LRE compared to other groups. Significant differences were also found between mild and severe RE for EL5 and LRE.

Conclusions:

  • Long-lasting reflux episodes (EL5, LRE) are significantly more frequent and prolonged in children with reflux esophagitis (RE).
  • These prolonged reflux episodes, along with acid reflux burden and impaired esophageal clearance, contribute to the development of RE.
  • The findings underscore the importance of identifying and quantifying long reflux events in pediatric GERD management.
Abstract

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