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Generation of Human Nasal Epithelial Cell Spheroids for Individualized Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Study
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Gastroesophageal reflux: a primary defect in cystic fibrosis?

I Dab1, A Malfroot

  • 1Free University of Brussels, Dept. of Pediatrics, Academisch Kinderziekenhuis VUB Brussels, Belgium.

Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology. Supplement
|January 1, 1988
PubMed

Insights

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is common in infants with cystic fibrosis (CF), causing various symptoms. Treating GER with cisapride significantly improved infant health, suggesting anti-reflux therapy is crucial for CF patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Gastroenterology
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Cystic Fibrosis (CF) often presents with diverse respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms.
  • Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a potential complicating factor in infants with CF.
  • Standard CF treatments may not fully address GER-related complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of GER in infants with newly diagnosed CF.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of cisapride, a GI prokinetic agent, in managing GER in CF infants.
  • To assess the impact of GER treatment on clinical manifestations in CF.

Main Methods:

  • pH monitoring over approximately 20 hours was used to diagnose GER in ten infants with CF.
  • Eight infants received treatment with the prokinetic drug cisapride.
  • Clinical follow-up studies were conducted to evaluate symptom improvement.

Main Results:

  • All ten infants diagnosed with CF exhibited abnormal GER.
  • Cisapride treatment led to normalized pH monitoring in seven out of eight treated infants.
  • Significant clinical improvement in respiratory, gastrointestinal, and weight gain issues was observed during cisapride therapy.

Conclusions:

  • Abnormal GER is highly prevalent in infants with cystic fibrosis.
  • Cisapride treatment effectively managed GER and improved clinical outcomes in CF infants.
  • Anti-reflux therapy should be considered an integral component of managing young CF patients.

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