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Updated: Feb 25, 2026

Simultaneous Laryngopharyngeal and Conventional Esophageal pH Monitoring
Published on: December 14, 2020
[Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) in children]
Insights
Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) in children presents unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges distinct from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This article details age-specific symptoms, diagnostic methods, and treatments for pediatric LPRD.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) in children involves reflux beyond the esophagus, differing from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Established guidelines exist for GERD, but pediatric LPRD diagnosis and therapy remain subjects of ongoing discussion.
- Otorhinolaryngologists are increasingly involved in managing pediatric LPRD.
Observation:
- LPRD symptoms, clinical findings, and sequelae stem from refluxate beyond the esophagus.
- Flexible transnasal laryngopharyngoscopy is a key diagnostic tool for LPRD.
- Pediatric LPRD requires distinct diagnostic procedures and therapies compared to GERD.
Findings:
- LPRD and GERD in children are distinct entities with different symptoms, causes, diagnostics, and treatments.
- Age-dependent clinical presentations are crucial for diagnosing pediatric LPRD.
- Otorhinolaryngology plays a vital role in the interdisciplinary diagnosis of pediatric LPRD.
Implications:
- Accurate differentiation between LPRD and GERD is essential for effective pediatric management.
- The involvement of otorhinolaryngologists enhances the diagnostic network for suspected pediatric LPRD.
- This article provides a guide to age-dependent symptoms, diagnostics, differential diagnoses, and therapies for pediatric LPRD.
Abstract:
LPRD in children is characterized by symptoms, clinical findings, and sequelae caused by the reflux of gastric acid, bile acid or refluxate containing pepsin beyond the esophagus. For diagnostic procedures and therapy of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in children and adults widely accepted guidelines have been established. However, diagnosis and therapy of LPRD in children remains a continuous issue of inter- and intradisciplinary discussions. Although both GERD and LPRD in children are reflux-induced diseases, these two entities are different in symptoms, cause, diagnostic procedures, and therapy. Thus, the terms GERD and LPRD are not eligible to be used as synonyms.Otorhinolaryngologists are becoming more and more involved in the management of children with suspicious LPRD. With flexible transnasal laryngopharyngoscopy being one of the most important diagnostic tools for LPRD detection, otorhinolaryngologists play an important role in the interdisciplinary diagnostic network of physicians treating children with suspected LPRD. The present article highlights age-dependent clinical symptoms, diagnostic tools, differential diagnoses, and adequate therapy for pediatric LPRD.
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