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Maturation of the lower oesophageal sphincter in the preterm baby

S J Newell1, P K Sarkar, G M Durbin

  • 1Institute of Child Health, University of Birmingham.

Gut
|February 1, 1988
PubMed

Insights

The lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) pressure significantly increases with postconceptional age in preterm infants. This maturation pattern is consistent regardless of growth, illness, or xanthine use.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Physiology
  • Gastrointestinal Motility

Background:

  • Limited data exists on lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) function in preterm infants, especially those under 34 weeks gestation.
  • Understanding LES development is crucial for managing gastrointestinal issues in premature neonates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the maturation of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) pressure in preterm infants.
  • To establish normative data for LES pressure in relation to postconceptional age.

Main Methods:

  • A modified manometric technique was employed to measure LES pressures in 25 very low birth weight infants.
  • Measurements were taken on 68 occasions across a postconceptional age range of 27 to 41 weeks.

Main Results:

  • The lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) was definable even in the most preterm infants.
  • Mean effective sphincter pressure increased from 3.8 mmHg in infants <29 weeks gestation to 18.1 mmHg in term infants.
  • A strong positive correlation (r = 0.81) was observed between LES pressure and increasing postconceptional age.

Conclusions:

  • Lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) pressure demonstrates significant maturation with increasing postconceptional age in preterm infants.
  • Factors such as intrauterine growth retardation, postnatal illness, and xanthine administration did not appear to affect this maturation pattern.

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