Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 6, 2026
Surgical Models of Gastroesophageal Reflux with Mice
Published on: August 25, 2015
Gastroesophageal reflux and congenital gastrointestinal malformations
Lucia Marseglia1, Sara Manti1, Gabriella D'Angelo1
1Lucia Marseglia, Gabriella D'Angelo, Eloisa Gitto, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy.
Insights
Infants with surgical congenital diseases often develop gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Understanding GER
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Neonatology
Background:
- Infant survivors of surgical congenital diseases face prolonged hospitalizations and long-term gastrointestinal issues.
- Gastroesophageal reflux (GER), a common condition in infants, involves the retrograde passage of gastric contents into the esophagus.
- While GER typically resolves with maturation, its persistence in infants with congenital defects may stem from increased abdominal pressure or altered upper GI motility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pathological and clinical characteristics of GER in infants with surgical congenital diseases.
- To enhance understanding of GER etiology in this specific patient population.
- To inform strategies for improving long-term patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of pathological and clinical characteristics of GER.
- Focus on patients who underwent surgical treatment for congenital abdominal malformations.
- Analysis of potential contributing factors to GER in this cohort.
Main Results:
- GER is a significant comorbidity in infants surviving surgical congenital diseases.
- Abnormal esophageal function in these infants may be linked to increased intra-abdominal pressure or upper GI motility disturbances.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms of GER in this population.
Conclusions:
- GER is a prevalent long-term sequela in infants with surgical congenital diseases.
- Understanding the specific pathological mechanisms of GER in these infants is crucial for improving their prognosis.
- Targeted interventions based on improved knowledge could positively impact long-term outcomes.
Abstract:
Although the outcome of newborns with surgical congenital diseases (e.g., diaphragmatic hernia; esophageal atresia; omphalocele; gastroschisis) has improved rapidly with recent advances in perinatal intensive care and surgery, infant survivors often require intensive treatment after birth, have prolonged hospitalizations, and, after discharge, may have long-term sequelae including gastro-intestinal comorbidities, above all, gastroesophageal reflux (GER). This condition involves the involuntary retrograde passage of gastric contents into the esophagus, with or without regurgitation or vomiting. It is a well-recognized condition, typical of infants, with an incidence of 85%, which usually resolves after physiological maturation of the lower esophageal sphincter and lengthening of the intra-abdominal esophagus, in the first few months after birth. Although the exact cause of abnormal esophageal function in congenital defects is not clearly understood, it has been hypothesized that common (increased intra-abdominal pressure after closure of the abdominal defect) and/or specific (e.g., motility disturbance of the upper gastrointestinal tract, damage of esophageal peristaltic pump) pathological mechanisms may play a role in the etiology of GER in patients with birth defects. Improvement of knowledge could positively impact the long-term prognosis of patients with surgical congenital diseases. The present manuscript provides a literature review focused on pathological and clinical characteristics of GER in patients who have undergone surgical treatment for congenital abdominal malformations.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease I: Meaning and Pathophysiology
01:30Esophageal Strictures-I: Introduction
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...
01:29Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease II: Clinical Features and Management
Clinical Manifestations
GERD presents itself in a multitude of ways, with symptoms varying from person to person. The hallmark symptoms are...
01:30Other Disorders of Digestive System
01:20Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders
01:22Esophageal Perforation-I: Introduction
The location of esophageal perforation can vary, occurring anywhere along the esophagus....