Related Experiment Videos
[24-hour esophageal pH-metry in the evaluation of gastroesophageal reflux pathology]
M Accorsini1, C Averbene, V A Caiulo
1Istituto di Clinica Pediatrica, Università degli Studi di Pisa.
Insights
Gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) in infants is common, with 32/41 subjects diagnosed via pH monitoring. Treatment, including prone positioning and medication, successfully resolved GER symptoms in all infants studied.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Infant Health
- Diagnostic Medicine
Background:
- Gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) is a prevalent condition in infants.
- GER can manifest with diverse symptoms, including vomiting, regurgitation, failure-to-thrive, and chronic respiratory issues.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring in diagnosing GER in infants.
- To identify common clinical presentations associated with GER in this population.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of standard treatment protocols for infant GER.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 24-hour intraesophageal pH monitoring to detect GER in a cohort of infants.
- Documented presenting symptoms, including vomiting, regurgitation, failure-to-thrive, and respiratory problems (asthma, apnea, pneumonia).
- Administered treatment comprising prone positioning and medical therapy (prokinetic agents, ranitidine).
Main Results:
- Gastro-esophageal reflux was detected in a significant proportion of infants (32 out of 41).
- Commonly observed symptoms included vomiting, regurgitation, failure-to-thrive, and chronic respiratory conditions.
- All infants treated with prone positioning and medical therapy showed successful resolution of GER.
Conclusions:
- 24-hour intraesophageal pH monitoring is a highly effective diagnostic tool for identifying GER in infants.
- Prompt and appropriate treatment, including positioning and medication, leads to successful outcomes.
- This diagnostic approach aids in assessing the severity of GER and guiding management.
Abstract:
Gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) in infants was studied using 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring. Gastro-esophageal reflux was detected in 32/41 subjects. In our patients the main symptoms were vomiting, regurgitation, failure-to-thrive, chronic respiratory problems such as asthma, apnea, recurrent pneumonia. All patients with GER were treated appropriately with prone positioning and medical therapy (prokinetic agent and, eventually, ranitidine). Successful treatment of the reflux was obtained in all patients. In our opinion the 24-hour intraesophageal pH monitoring is a highly diagnostic test to identify the presence of GER and evaluate its gravity.