[Respiratory symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux in children]

Ioana Alina Anca1, Alina Stănescu Popp, Mihaela Oros

  • 1Institutul de Ocrotire a Mamei şi Copilului, Bucure,sti. ioanalina@yahoo.com

Pneumologia (Bucharest, Romania)
|October 1, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric gastroesophageal reflux (GER) can cause respiratory symptoms. Anti-reflux therapy successfully resolved respiratory complications in three children with GERD, highlighting the importance of considering GERD in respiratory cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Gastroenterology
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Respiratory symptoms are common in pediatric referrals, often attributed to infections.
  • Pediatric gastroesophageal reflux (GER) recognition has increased due to awareness and diagnostic advancements.
  • Distinguishing functional from pathological GER depends on complications, not just reflux episode frequency or severity.

Observation:

  • Three pediatric cases presented with distinct respiratory complications and non-specific clinical pictures.
  • These cases involved gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
  • Diagnostic tools include 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring and real-time ultrasound of the eso-gastric junction.

Findings:

  • Anti-reflux therapy led to successful remission of symptoms in all three reported cases.
  • GERD was the underlying cause of the respiratory complications.
  • The study highlights successful treatment outcomes for GERD-related respiratory issues.

Implications:

  • This suggests GERD should be considered in pediatric respiratory cases with unclear origins.
  • Effective management of GERD can resolve associated respiratory problems.
  • Early diagnosis and treatment of GERD may prevent prolonged respiratory symptoms in children.

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