Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Real Time and Repeated Measurement of Skeletal Muscle Growth in Individual Live Zebrafish Subjected to Altered Electrical Activity
11:41

Real Time and Repeated Measurement of Skeletal Muscle Growth in Individual Live Zebrafish Subjected to Altered Electrical Activity

Published on: June 16, 2022

The relationship between somatic growth and in vivo esophageal segmental and sphincteric growth in human neonates

Alankar Gupta1, Sudarshan Rao Jadcherla

  • 1Section of Neonatology, Columbus Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|July 5, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Esophageal segment lengths in neonates strongly correlate with postmenstrual age and somatic growth. This finding is crucial for accurate placement of esophageal probes and gavage tubes in infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal physiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Pediatric medical device development

Background:

  • Accurate measurement of aerodigestive tract length is vital for correct placement of esophageal probes and gavage tubes.
  • The relationship between esophageal segment lengths (esophageal body, upper esophageal sphincter [UES], and lower esophageal sphincter [LES]) and somatic growth in neonates is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the relationship between segmental esophageal lengths and somatic growth parameters in neonates.
  • To determine the relationship between segmental esophageal lengths and gestational age (GA) and postmenstrual age (PMA) in preterm and full-term infants.

Main Methods:

  • Esophageal manometry studies were conducted on 75 infants (30-60 weeks PMA).
  • Nares-to-LES, nares-to-UES, esophageal body length, and UES/LES lengths were measured and correlated with somatic growth parameters.
  • Longitudinal studies in 26 subjects assessed growth rates of esophageal segments using analysis of variance and linear regression.

Main Results:

  • Significant correlations (P < 0.001) were found between PMA, physical growth, and the growth of nares-to-LES (R = 0.8), esophageal body length (R = 0.6), and nares-to-UES (R = 0.4).
  • Nares-to-LES length demonstrated a growth rate of 0.25 cm/week PMA between 33.0 and 36.0 weeks of age.

Conclusions:

  • In vivo measurements of neonatal esophageal segmental lengths show a strong correlation with somatic growth parameters and postmenstrual age.
  • This research suggests practical applications for improving the use of esophageal probes and catheters in neonates.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Tissue-Engineered Graft for Circumferential Esophageal Reconstruction in Rats08:56

Tissue-Engineered Graft for Circumferential Esophageal Reconstruction in Rats

Published on: February 10, 2020

Modeling Oral-Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in 3D Organoids10:43

Modeling Oral-Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in 3D Organoids

Published on: December 23, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Esophageal Achalasia01:27

Esophageal Achalasia

Esophageal achalasia is a chronic neurogenic disorder characterized by impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and absent or ineffective peristalsis in the distal esophagus. This leads to a functional obstruction without a physical blockage, despite significant disruption of esophageal motility.EtiologyAchalasia is caused by degeneration of the myenteric (Auerbach's) plexus, specifically the loss of inhibitory ganglion cells that produce vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)...
Esophageal Strictures-I: Introduction01:30

Esophageal Strictures-I: Introduction

Esophageal strictures involve abnormal narrowing or tightening of the esophagus. They vary in length and severity, ranging from mild constriction to complete obstruction, and are classified as benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Etiology
The primary cause of esophageal strictures is long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), accounting for about 70 to 80% of adult cases. Chronic acid reflux can lead to injury and scarring of the esophageal lining, culminating in...
Bone Formation by Intramembranous Ossification01:29

Bone Formation by Intramembranous Ossification

Intramembranous ossification is one of the two processes involved in the development of bones within an embryo. The flat bones of the face, most of the cranial bones, and the clavicles are formed via this process. During intramembranous ossification, the bones develop directly from sheets of undifferentiated mesenchymal connective tissue.
The process begins when mesenchymal cells in the embryonic skeleton gather together and differentiate into osteogenic cells, which then develop into...