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Change of Sleep Stage during Gastroesophageal Reflux in Infants

Angeliki Pappa1, Moritz Muschaweck1, Tobias G Wenzl1

  • 1Klinik für Kinder-und Jugendmedizin, Universitätsklinikum der RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.

Children (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 27, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Infant sleep disturbances are strongly linked to gastroesophageal reflux (GER) episodes. Caregivers should consider GER when infants experience disrupted sleep patterns.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Infant Health

Background:

  • Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is common in infants.
  • Understanding the relationship between GER and sleep is crucial for infant care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the temporal association between sleep stage changes and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in infants.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized synchronized polygraphic recording and impedance-pH-metry in 15 infants.
  • Analyzed sleep stage changes in relation to GER episodes, categorizing time into GER-window, remaining GER, and GER-free periods.

Main Results:

  • A significant association was found between sleep stage changes and GER onset (p < 0.02).
  • Higher rates of sleep stage changes occurred during GER-related time windows compared to GER-free periods.

Conclusions:

  • A strong temporal link exists between infant sleep irregularities and GER episodes.
  • GER should be considered a potential factor in infant sleep disturbances by healthcare providers and caregivers.
Abstract

Keywords:
gastroesophageal refluxinfantsleep stage changetemporal association

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