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[Gastroesophageal reflux in premature: a case report]

Daouda Ndour1

  • 1Service de Néonatologie et Réanimation Néonatale, Hôpital d'Enfants Albert Royer de Dakar, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Sénégal.

The Pan African Medical Journal
|March 16, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common in premature infants, potentially linking to apnea and bradycardia. Treatment effectiveness for GERD in these infants remains uncertain, requiring further research.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a prevalent condition in neonatology.
  • Physiological protective reflexes suggest a link between gastroesophageal reflux and apnea/bradycardia in premature infants.
  • The causal relationship between GERD and apnea/bradycardia in premature infants is not definitively established.

Observation:

  • A case of a preterm infant in neonatal intensive care presented with apnea and bradycardia.
  • Clinical examination and diagnostic explorations yielded normal results.
  • Gastrointestinal reflux was diagnosed as the complication leading to apnea and bradycardia.

Findings:

  • Pharmacological therapy for GERD has not demonstrated consistent efficacy in improving symptoms in premature infants.
  • Treatment for GERD should be reserved for infants with refractory apnea and bradycardia episodes suspected to be GERD-related.
  • There is a lack of consensus regarding the clinical and paraclinical diagnosis of GERD-associated apnea and bradycardia.

Implications:

  • Further research is needed to clarify the diagnostic criteria and causal links between GERD and apnea/bradycardia in premature infants.
  • Clinical management should focus on targeted interventions for infants with treatment-refractory symptoms.
  • The review highlights the complexities in diagnosing and treating GERD-related complications in the neonatal population.

Keywords:
Premature infantgastroesophageal reflux

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