Reference values of gastric intramucosal pH in children

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F Reinoso-Barbero1, C Calvo, F Ruza

  • 1Department of Pediatric Anesthesiology, La Paz Children's Hospital, Madrid, Spain.

Paediatric Anaesthesia
|April 29, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Gastric intramucosal pH (pHi) reference values were determined in healthy children undergoing surgery. Mean pHi was 7.35, similar to adult values, indicating normal gastric mucosal perfusion.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Anesthesiology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Gastric intramucosal pH (pHi) is a marker of gastric mucosal perfusion.
  • Reference values for pHi in pediatric patients are not well-established.
  • Understanding normal pHi is crucial for assessing critically ill children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish reference values for gastric intramucosal pH (pHi) in pediatric patients.
  • To compare pediatric pHi values with those of adults.
  • To assess the correlation between pHi and other physiological parameters.

Main Methods:

  • Gastric tonometry was performed on 17 healthy children (6 months to 12 years) undergoing minor surgery.
  • A sigmoid tonometry catheter was inserted into the stomach.
  • Gastric pHi was calculated using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation with arterial blood gas analysis.

Main Results:

  • The mean gastric pHi in healthy children was 7.35 ± 0.06.
  • This value falls within the normal range for the general population (7.31-7.40).
  • No significant correlation was found between pHi and arterial pH, bicarbonate, or base excess.

Conclusions:

  • Healthy children under general anesthesia exhibit gastric intramucosal pH values comparable to adults.
  • These findings provide valuable reference data for pediatric gastric tonometry.
  • Gastric tonometry can be a reliable tool for assessing gastric mucosal perfusion in children.

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