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Updated: Aug 10, 2026

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Published on: January 17, 2011
[Intraesophageal pH in children with suspected reflux]
Insights
Diagnosing gastroesophageal reflux in children is crucial. A four-hour intraesophageal pH monitoring effectively identifies pathological reflux (ERGE) in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Diagnostic Medicine
Background:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) presents significant challenges in pediatric care.
- Key symptoms include vomiting, failure to thrive, and recurrent pneumonia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of intraesophageal pH monitoring for pediatric GERD.
Main Methods:
- Barium esophagogram (SEGD) with fluoroscopy, esophageal manometry (EM), and four-hour intraesophageal pH monitoring were performed on 22 children.
- Patients presented with symptoms suggestive of gastroesophageal reflux.
Main Results:
- Pathological reflux (ERGE) was confirmed in 13 of 22 children.
- SEGD detected reflux in 16 patients; EM was abnormal in only 3.
- Altered intraesophageal pH measurements were observed in 7 patients.
Conclusions:
- Short-term (4-hour) intraesophageal pH monitoring is a valuable diagnostic tool for identifying GERD in children.
- This method aids in the accurate diagnosis of pediatric gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Abstract:
We study 22 children with clinical symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux. The main manifestations were: frequent vomiting, failure to thrive and repetitive pneumonia. In all of them we perform barium esophagogram (SEGD) with fluoroscopy, esophageal manometry (EM) and a four hours intraesophageal pH measurement. Thirteen of the twenty two children present a pathologic reflux (ERGE); in 16 we found SEGD that show reflux; three of them had an abnormal EM, the other 13 were normal. Seven patients showed alteration of the intraesophageal pH measurement. In conclusion the intraesophageal pH measurement in short period of time (4 hours) is a good method in the diagnosis of patients with ERGE.
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