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Esophageal body and lower esophageal sphincter function in healthy premature infants

T I Omari1, K Miki, R Fraser

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, Australia.

Gastroenterology
|December 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

Premature infants often have abnormal esophageal motility, with non-peristaltic waves being common, potentially hindering reflux clearance. However, their lower esophageal sphincter function appears well-developed.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Physiology
  • Gastrointestinal Motility
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Gastroesophageal reflux is a prevalent issue in premature infants.
  • Understanding esophageal function is crucial for managing reflux in neonates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate esophageal body and lower esophageal sphincter pressures in premature infants.
  • To utilize a novel manometric technique for precise pressure measurements.

Main Methods:

  • Employed micromanromanometric feeding assemblies with 4-9 channels in 27 premature neonates.
  • Recorded esophageal body motility and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressures before and after feeding.
  • Stimulated swallowing reflex via facial stimulation (Santmyer reflex).

Main Results:

  • Non-peristaltic motor patterns (73.4%) were significantly more common than peristaltic patterns (26.6%).
  • Reflex swallowing was more frequent in infants >34 weeks postconceptional age.
  • Mean LES pressure decreased post-feeding (20.5 to 13.7 mm Hg).

Conclusions:

  • Premature infants exhibit non-peristaltic esophageal motility, potentially impairing reflux clearance.
  • Lower esophageal sphincter mechanisms appear to be well-developed in this population.
Abstract

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