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Simultaneous Laryngopharyngeal and Conventional Esophageal pH Monitoring
06:46

Simultaneous Laryngopharyngeal and Conventional Esophageal pH Monitoring

Published on: December 14, 2020

Apnea is not prolonged by acid gastroesophageal reflux in preterm infants

Juliann M Di Fiore1, Marina Arko, Meghan Whitehouse

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. jmd3@po.cwru.edu

Pediatrics
|November 3, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) does not appear to cause or prolong apnea in preterm infants. This study found no temporal link between GER and apnea, nor did it affect apnea duration or severity.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal physiology
  • Pediatric gastroenterology
  • Respiratory control

Background:

  • Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is common in preterm infants.
  • The relationship between GER and apnea, a frequent concern in neonates, requires further clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the temporal association between GER and apnea in preterm infants.
  • To determine if GER influences the duration or severity of apnea.

Main Methods:

  • 119 preterm infants underwent 12-hour cardiorespiratory monitoring.
  • Respiratory inductance plethysmography, heart rate, SaO2, and esophageal pH were recorded.
  • GER and apnea events were scored and analyzed for temporal relationships and duration.

Main Results:

  • Over 6000 GER episodes were recorded, with only 1% associated with significant apnea.
  • No increase in apnea rate was observed before, during, or after GER.
  • GER did not prolong apnea duration or worsen associated drops in SaO2 or heart rate.

Conclusions:

  • No evidence supports a temporal relationship between acid reflux and apnea in preterm infants.
  • GER does not appear to prolong apnea or negatively impact cardiorespiratory parameters during apnea.
Abstract

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