Study on Nocturnal Infant Crying Evaluation (NICE) and Reflux Disease (RED)

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Gastroenterology
• Infant Health

Background:

• Nocturnal infant crying is frequently managed with acid suppressants.
• The study investigates the prevalence and characteristics of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in infants experiencing unexplained persistent crying.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of GER in infants with unexplained persistent crying.
• To determine if empirical acid suppressant treatment is justified for such cases.

Main Methods:

• Esophageal impedance-pH monitoring (MII-pH) was used in infants (0-12 months) with unexplained persistent crying.
• Exclusion criteria included gastrointestinal malformations, neurological impairment, and infections.
• Data analyzed included GER symptoms, I-GERQ-R scores, and MII-pH results.

Main Results:

• 60% of infants with persistent crying had normal MII-pH findings.
• Nocturnal crying was present in 52% of infants, with normal MII-pH in 54% of these cases.
• Neither I-GERQ-R scores nor regurgitation frequency predicted abnormal MII-pH results.

Conclusions:

• Empirical treatment with acid inhibitors is not recommended for infants with persistent unexplained crying.
• GER is not consistently identified as the cause of unexplained persistent or nocturnal infant crying.