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Gastro-oesophageal reflux and respiratory function in infants with respiratory symptoms
F J Hampton1, U M MacFadyen, C S Beardsmore
1Department of Child Health, University of Leicester.
Insights
Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) in infants with recurrent respiratory issues was studied. While the amount of GOR didn't correlate with lung function, individual responses suggest GOR triggers symptoms in some infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Infant Health
Background:
- Recurrent respiratory symptoms in infants are common.
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) is a potential contributing factor.
- Understanding the relationship between GOR and respiratory function is crucial for diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence and severity of GOR in infants with recurrent respiratory symptoms.
- To correlate GOR measurements with objective measures of respiratory function.
- To explore the potential link between GOR and specific respiratory symptoms in infants.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 24-hour oesophageal pH monitoring to assess GOR in 38 infants.
- Evaluated respiratory function using measures such as maximum expiratory flow, airways resistance, and thoracic gas volume.
- Employed correlation and chi-squared analyses to examine associations between GOR indices and respiratory function.
Main Results:
- Abnormal GOR (pH < 4 for >5% of time) was found in 21 infants; 9 exceeded age-related normal values.
- Reduced maximum expiratory flow, increased airways resistance, and abnormal thoracic gas volume were prevalent.
- No significant statistical association was found between GOR indices and overall respiratory function measures.
Conclusions:
- The overall amount of GOR did not correlate with respiratory function measures in this infant cohort.
- Individual cases suggested that GOR can precipitate respiratory symptoms.
- Host responsiveness to GOR, rather than the reflux amount, may be more critical in symptom development.
Abstract:
This study aimed to define the incidence and severity of gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR), as measured using 24 hour oesophageal pH monitoring, in 38 infants with recurrent respiratory symptoms and to relate these findings to measures of respiratory function. Twenty one infants had a pH under 4 for more than 5% of the time (one definition of abnormal GOR) and nine had GOR exceeding age related normal values. Maximum expiratory flow at functional residual capacity was reduced in 37 infants, airways resistance was raised in 19 infants, and thoracic gas volume was abnormal in 11 infants. There was no association between indices of GOR and measures of lung function whether assessed by correlation or by chi 2 analysis for normal versus abnormal values. However, individual infants appeared to have respiratory symptoms produced by GOR. This suggests that host responsiveness to GOR may be of greater relevance than the amount of GOR.