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Lung diffusion capacity in children with respiratory symptoms and untreated GERD

Mirjana Mirić1, Mirjana Turkalj2, Boro Nogalo2

  • 1Department for Anesthesiology, Reanimatology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.

Medical Science Monitor : International Medical Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research
|May 13, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) significantly impacts children with asthma and laryngitis. GERD worsens asthma control and laryngitis, with impaired gas diffusion capacity being an early indicator in laryngitis patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is frequently linked to respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic laryngitis.
  • Investigating lung function, specifically gas diffusion capacity, in children with GERD and these respiratory issues is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess lung function, including gas diffusion capacity (DLCO) and exhaled nitric oxide (FENO), in children with poorly controlled asthma or chronic laryngitis associated with GERD.
  • To determine the relationship between GERD severity and lung function parameters in these pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • Seventy-one children (aged 6-17) with symptoms suggestive of GERD were divided into asthma and chronic laryngitis groups.
  • All participants underwent 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring, lung function tests, DLCO, and FENO measurements.

Main Results:

  • GERD was confirmed in over 90% of children in both groups via pH monitoring.
  • Children with asthma showed reduced airflow rates, while those with laryngitis had lower FENO and DLCO.
  • A significant inverse correlation was observed between DLCO and GERD severity scores in the laryngitis group.

Conclusions:

  • GERD exacerbates poor asthma control and chronic laryngitis in children.
  • Gas diffusion capacity may be an early indicator of distal airway abnormality in pediatric patients with GERD and chronic laryngitis, even with normal overall lung function.
Abstract

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