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Published on: August 25, 2015
[gastroesophageal reflux in children, a curiosity or a disease?]
1Clinique de Gastro-Entérologie-Hépathologie, Hôpital des Enfants Reine Fabiola, Bruxelles.
Insights
New pediatric techniques improve understanding of infant gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR). While often temporary, persistent GOR can cause chronic issues and, rarely, severe infant health problems.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Infant Health
- Reflux Disease Mechanisms
Context:
- Advancements in diagnostic techniques and miniaturization for pediatric applications.
- Understanding the pathophysiology of gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) in infants and children.
- Importance of accurate GOR detection for non-digestive manifestations.
Purpose:
- To elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms of infantile and childhood gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR).
- To highlight the significance of reliable GOR detection in managing non-digestive symptoms.
- To differentiate between transient and persistent GOR in pediatric populations.
Summary:
- Miniaturized techniques enhance the understanding of gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) in pediatric patients.
- GOR is typically transient in infants but can persist beyond 18-24 months, leading to chronic complaints.
- Persistent GOR, though rare, can result in severe morbidity and mortality in early infancy.
Impact:
- Improved diagnostic capabilities for pediatric gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR).
- Better identification and management of chronic GOR complications in children.
- Potential reduction in severe GOR-related morbidity and mortality in neonates and infants.
Abstract:
The development of new techniques and their adaptation (miniaturization) to paediatric patients increase the understanding of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of the classical gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) in infancy and childhood (mainly regurgitation). The more reliable detection of GOR is important in some non-digestive manifestations of disease. In the vast majority of infants, GOR follows a transitory and unconsequent course. However, in some cases, it can persist beyond the normal limit of time for maturation of the gastro-oesophageal junction (18-24 months), and is responsible for chronic complaints. In rare cases it can cause severe morbidity and mortality in the first months of life.
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