Clinical spectrum of food allergy in children in Australia and South-East Asia: identification and targets for treatment.

The prevalence of atopic diseases is increasing worldwide for reasons that are not clear. Food allergies are the earliest manifestations of atopy. This review defines the foods most commonly involved in allergic reactions and identifies an emerging group of syndromes in which food allergy is involved. A study of the frequency of food allergies in Australia and South-East Asia has recently shown that egg, cow's milk and peanut are the most common food allergens in Australia, but there were divergent results from different regions of South-East Asia. It is not clear whether the differences in reactivity to foods are due to genetic or cultural factors, but the findings raise the possibility that genetic susceptibility to food allergy may operate at the T-cell level modulated by the major histocompatibility complex. The Melbourne Milk Allergy Study defined a wide range of clinical symptoms and syndromes that could be reproduced by dietary challenge. A subsequent analysis of the infants with hypersensitivity to cow's milk and other multiple food proteins identified a new syndrome, multiple food protein intolerance of infancy. Food challenges demonstrated reactions developing slowly days after commencement of low-allergen soy formula or extensively hydrolysed formula. Follow-up at the age of 3 years showed that most children with this disorder tolerated most foods apart from cow's milk, egg and peanut. Atopic dermatitis affects about 18% of infants in the first 2 years of life. In a community-based study we have shown a very strong association (RR 3.5) between atopic dermatitis and infants with immunoglobulin E allergy to cow's milk, egg or peanut. Family studies on these infants have shown a link between atopic dermatitis and the genomic region 5q31 adjacent to the interleukin-4 gene cluster. Infantile colic (distress) affects 15-40% of infants in the first 4 months of life. Many theories of causation have been proposed, but a study from our centre showed that dietary modification, particularly that of breastfeeding mothers whose infants present with colic before the age of 6 weeks, alleviated symptoms. Colic associated with vomiting has been attributed to gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR). This has been considered primarily a motility disorder, but a secondary form resulting from food protein intolerance has been described recently. We have also recently identified a group of infants with distressed behaviour attributed to GOR who have failed to respond to H2-receptor antagonists, prokinetic agents and multiple formula changes. Symptoms resolved on commencement of an elemental amino acid-based formula. In two-thirds of the patients, symptoms relapsed when challenged with low-allergen soy formula or extensively hydrolysed formula. We propose that a period of food protein intolerance is a part of the normal development of the immune system as it encounters common dietary proteins in infancy and early childhood. Future targets for research are development of appropriate dietary and management strategies for these entities and identification of genetic markers for these disorders.     

Pathophysiology of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Infants and Nonpharmacologic Strategies for Symptom Management

Gastroesophageal reflux is common in young infants, particularly those born prematurely or with a history of medical complexity. The most recent clinical practice guidelines recommend the use of nonpharmacologic management strategies because of concerns about the safety of acid-reducing medications and a lack of evidence of their effectiveness. Our purpose in this article is to holistically review the pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease, identify symptom management targets, and describe nonpharmacologic strategies that nurses can implement and/or teach to parents to manage symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux. Strategies targeting stress, dysbiosis, food intolerances, feeding difficulties, and positioning are discussed. Nurses can work with families to identify factors contributing to gastroesophageal reflux disease and determine individualized strategies that can be used in lieu of, or in addition to, medication.     

Lack of correlation between extended pH monitoring and scintigraphy in the evaluation of infants with gastroesophageal reflux

Sixty-nine infants younger than 1 year of age, with symptoms of persistent vomiting, recurrent choking, apnea, persistent cough, or stridor, were evaluated for gastroesophageal reflux. All infants underwent extended intraesophageal pH monitoring for 16 to 24 hours as well as gastroesophageal scintigraphy with technetium 99m sulfur colloid to study the correlation between the two tests. Forty-eight infants exhibited reflux with extended pH monitoring whereas 46 infants showed reflux with scintigraphy. However, the diagnosis of reflux in individual patients by extended pH monitoring corresponded poorly with the diagnosis of reflux in the same patients by scintigraphy. Similarly, no correlation was observed between extended pH monitoring and scintigraphy results, whether expressed as percent gastric emptying or as gastroesophageal reflux ratio. We conclude that extended pH monitoring and scintigraphy measure different pathophysiologic phenomena and detect reflux under different conditions. The ability of these tests to detect reflux may be complementary and they may be of greatest value when used together to enhance the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic evaluation. Extended pH monitoring and scintigraphy should not be used interchangeably to monitor gastroesophageal reflux.     

Reflux monitoring: role of combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH

Combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH (MII-pH) is a promising technique that identifies liquid, gas, and mixed gastroesophageal reflux and categorizes it into acid and nonacid types. Gastroesophageal monitoring using combined MII-pH reconfirms previously reported data that there is a difference between refluxate volume presence time in the esophagus and time pH less than 4. Only one in five patients with persistent symptoms on acid-suppressive therapy have symptoms associated with persistent acid reflux, whereas two of five patients have symptoms associated with nonacid reflux; the remaining patients do not have any type of GER related to their symptoms. Combined MII-pH is a useful tool in evaluating patients with persistent symptoms on acid-suppressive therapy, patients with atypical symptoms, and infants.     

Gastroesophageal reflux in infants: a primary care perspective

This clinical paper discusses the role of the pediatric nurse in the evaluation and management of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in infants. During an infant's first year of life, GER is a common occurrence and concern of families. The infant with uncomplicated GER may be managed conservatively with feeding schedule modifications, thickened feeds, changes in positioning, or a trial of formula change. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a pathological process in infants manifested by poor weight gain, signs of esophagitis, persistent respiratory symptoms or complications, and changes in neurobehavior. Management of the infant with GERD, in addition to non-pharmacological interventions, involves further diagnostic evaluation and pharmacologic therapy, depending upon the child's history and clinical presentation. While most cases of GER are self-limiting, complications include esophagitis, bronchospasm, apnea, aspiration pneumonia and other otolaryngologic disorders. The pediatric health care provider should offer an ongoing, comprehensive clinical approach to the family based on considerations of growth and development, and the quality of interactions between the caregivers and child.     

Evaluation and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux in infants and children

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER), defined as passage of gastric contents into esophagus, and GER disease (GERD), defined as symptoms or complications of GER, are common pediatric problems encountered by both primary and specialty medical providers. Clinical manifestations of GERD in children include vomiting, poor weight gain, dysphagia, abdominal or substernal pain, esophagitis and respiratory disorders. On the other hand, recurrent vomiting is the symptom of hydronephrosis, brain tumor, food allergy, uremia, other metabolic disease, obstruction of intestine etc. It is very important for clinicians dealing with children and infants to understand GERD. The evaluation and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux in infants and children were reviewed here.     

Management of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is the most common and expensive digestive disease with complex and multi-factorial pathophysiologic mechanisms. Transient inappropriate relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter is the predominant mechanism in the majority of patients with mild to moderate disease. Hiatal hernias and a reduced lower esophageal sphincter pressure have a significant role in patients with moderate to severe disease. Typical manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease include heartburn, regurgitation, and dysphagia. Atypical symptoms, such as noncardiac chest pain, pulmonary manifestations of asthma, cough, aspiration pneumonia, or ENT manifestations of globus and laryngitis, can be seen in patients with or without typical symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Endoscopy and ambulatory pH tests are best to evaluate the anatomic and physiologic impact ofgastroesophageal reflux disease. Complications of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease include peptic strictures and Barrett metaplasia. Barrett esophagus is a major risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma, and upper endoscopy with surveillance biopsies is recommended for patients with Barrett esophagus. Medical therapy with anti-secretory agents (H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors) is effective for most patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Surgical fundoplications and endoscopic treatment modalities are mechanical treatment options for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.     

Ear, nose, and throat manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Complaints can be telltale signs

GERD is one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions in the general US population. ENT become more commonly recognized or suspected by physicians, although the direct association between symptoms and acid reflux has been difficult to establish. Most patients with suspected supraesophageal GERD do not have the typical symptoms of heartburn and acid regurgitation. Possible mechanisms of GERD-mediated damage to extraesophageal structures include direct-contact damage of mucosal surfaces by acid-pepsin exposure and a vagal reflex arc between the esophagus and the upper aerodigestive tract, triggered by acid reflux. Dual-channel ambulatory pH monitoring is the most sensitive and specific diagnostic test for determining transient reflux episodes, although demonstrating the presence of acid reflux alone does not prove that it is the cause of suspected GERD-related signs or symptoms. Therefore, physicians must sometimes resort to an empirical treatment strategy for both diagnosis and treatment. High-dose PPI therapy for 9 to 12 weeks is the recognized first-line therapy; operative therapy is reserved for patients who have severe complications or whose condition incompletely responds to treatment. Complete lack of response should prompt reconsideration of alternative diagnoses. Controlled, well-designed clinical trials to assess treatment and more sophisticated techniques to quantify acid reflux are needed to help determine which patients with suspected extraesophageal complications actually have GERD as the primary cause.     

Supraesophageal complications of gastroesophageal reflux

Supraesophageal complications of GERD have become more commonly recognized or suspected by physicians. However, the direct association between these complications and GERD has often been difficult, if not impossible, to establish. Furthermore, the majority of patients with suspected supraesophageal complications of GERD do not have either the characteristic symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation or the definitive findings of esophageal inflammation, which would help reinforce the suspicion of a connection between the supraesophageal complications and GERD. Frequent acid reflux has been shown in patients with various bron-chopulmonary, laryngopharyngeal, or oral cavity disorders. GERD is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints in the population. It is possible that the supraesophageal problems and acid reflux are mutually independent disorders that occur in the same person. The suspected mechanisms of GERD-related supraesophageal complications appear to be directed through two pathways: by a vagal reflex between the esophagus and tracheobronchial tree triggered by acid reflux or by microaspiration that causes contact damage to mucosal surfaces. The most useful diagnostic modality available to the clinician to aid in the diagnosis of supraesophageal GERD complications is the ambulatory pH recording technique. However, the sensitivity and specificity of this test for recording esophageal or pharyngeal acid reflux events has been critically challenged. Despite the many clinical studies that support the theory that GER has a role in suspected supraesophageal complications, only 1 long-term prospective controlled study of a large group of patients with asthma has shown the positive effects of the elimination of acid reflux. With the focus now on "outcomes medicine," there is a serious need for appropriately designed, controlled studies to answer the many questions surrounding a cause-and-effect association between acid reflux and supraesophageal disorders. Because of the lack of convincing proof between acid reflux and suspected supraesophageal complications, the physician must resort to an intent-to-treat strategy as both a primary therapy and a diagnostic trial. High-dose PPI therapy for prolonged periods is the recognized conservative therapy. Operative therapy (i.e., fundoplication operation) is the procedure of choice when overt regurgitation occurs or when medical therapy, although successful, is not practical for long periods. Controlled, well-designed clinical trials and more sophisticated techniques to measure and quantify acid reflux are crucial in the future to help determine which patients with suspected supraesophageal complications actually have acid reflux as a primary cause. The medical community needs to be alerted to the possibility of an association between GERD and supra-esophageal complications so that patients with a GERD-related complication will be recognized and effectively treated.     

The characteristics and outcome of primary vesicoureteric reflux diagnosed in the first year of life

A retrospective trial was performed to study presentation, evaluation, management, complications and outcome of 186 infants with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Medical records of 103 male and 83 female infants with mean age at entry 5.97 months were reviewed. Diagnosis was established using radiographic voiding cystourethrogram. At diagnosis, a renal ultrasound and dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scintigraphy were performed in all children. The follow-up included blood pressure measurements, serial urine cultures, haematological and biochemical tests, radionuclide cystography, renal ultrasounds and renal scintigraphy. The majority of infants with reflux, 176/186, presented with one or more episodes of urinary tract infections. In 113 children, reflux resolved spontaneously, 27 underwent surgical or endoscopic correction and 46 are being followed-up to date. Spontaneous resolution after prophylaxis was more frequent in boys (p < 0.0001), in children with grade I or II (p < 0.0001) and unilateral reflux at diagnosis (p = 0.0215). No significant difference could be established with respect to the presence of scars (p = 0.1680) and the number of breakthrough urinary tract infections (p = 0.1078). The data of the present study indicate that spontaneous resolution rate is high in infants, and therefore, early antireflux     

Stretta procedure for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Stretta procedure is a noninvasive alternative for individuals suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease, the most common disorder of the digestive tract. Over 40% of the population reports symptoms of reflux. Primary treatment is medication therapy with proton pump inhibitors and lifestyle changes. For patients whose symptoms have not been adequately controlled by proton-pump inhibitors or those unwilling to take medication indefinitely, surgery has been the only option. Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is the most common surgery for reflux. Recently, noninvasive options have been studied. This article discusses the Stretta procedure, the application of radiofrequency energy to the lower esophageal sphincter. The Stretta procedure is performed in conjunction with an esophagogastroduodenoscopy under conscious sedation in the endoscopy lab.     

Definition and classification of GERD

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease(GERD) is a condition which develops when the reflux of stomach contents causes troublesome symptoms and/or complications. Traditionally, it was defined as a condition in which either or both of reflux esophagitis and reflux symptoms can be identified. The Montreal definition expanded the category of GERD to complications of esophagitis and extra-esophageal symptoms with or without established evidence on the correlation with GERD. Symptomatic patients those who lacks the evidence of mucosal breaks are called as NERD. Functional heartburn, defined in Rome III, is similar in symptoms but different in the responsiveness to PPIs. Increasing knowledge will clarify what the gastroesophageal reflux really causes health problems.     

Extraesophageal manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may manifest as laryngitis, asthma, cough, or noncardiac chest pain. Diagnosing these extraesophageal manifestations may be difficult for primary care physicians because most patients do not have heartburn or regurgitation. Diagnostic tests have low specificity, and a cause-and-effect association between GERD and extraesophageal symptoms is difficult to establish. Response to aggressive acid suppression is often the best indication of GERD etiology in a patient with extraesophageal symptoms.     

Gastroesophageal reflux. Don't forget to ask about heartburn

At least 13% of the US adult population have chronic heartburn, and unknown percentages of others have related symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Studies show that most people with symptoms of reflux self-medicate and do not seek medical advice. Also, they fail to mention these symptoms when visiting their physician for other conditions. Therefore, the importance of thorough history taking cannot be overstated, and it may be prudent for primary care physicians to question all patients routinely about reflux symptoms.     

Epidemiology of gastro-esophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) is believed to be common and chronic gastrointestinal disorder. Quantitative estimates of the actual prevalence of GERD are difficult to obtain, because those who seek health care probably represent only a tip of the iceberg of people with GERD. The prevalence of heartburn and/or regurgitation, considered to be reasonably specific symptoms for the diagnosis of GERD, ranged from 10% to 48% for heartburn, from 9% to 45% for regurgitation and 21% to 59% for both/either in systematic review of GERD and reflux esophagitis(RE). It is widely accepted that the prevalence is lower in Asian countries, including Japan, compared with that in Western countries. However, the prevalence of RE in Japan may be increasing. In the case of heartburn and regurgitation in GERD and endoscopic findings in RE, different understandings of these terms by different investigators and subjects may have contributed to the range of results. Symptom definitions and what is understood by them should be among the most important considerations when undertaking population prevalence studies on reflux like symptoms, to allow comparisons to be made between studies.     

Evaluation of the patient with chronic cough

Initial evaluation of the patient with chronic cough (i.e., of more than eight weeks' duration) should include a focused history and physical examination, and in most patients, chest radiography. Patients who are taking an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor should switch to a medication from another drug class. The most common causes of chronic cough in adults are upper airway cough syndrome, asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, alone or in combination. If upper airway cough syndrome is suspected, a trial of a decongestant and a first-generation antihistamine is warranted. The diagnosis of asthma should be confirmed based on clinical response to empiric therapy with inhaled bronchodilators or corticosteroids. Empiric treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease should be initiated in lieu of testing for patients with chronic cough and reflux symptoms. Patients should avoid exposure to cough-evoking irritants, such as cigarette smoke. Further testing, such as high-resolution computed tomography, and referral to a pulmonologist may be indicated if the cause of chronic cough is not identified. In children, a cough lasting longer than four weeks is considered chronic. The most common causes in children are respiratory tract infections, asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Evaluation of children with chronic cough should include chest radiography and spirometry.     

Accuracy of the water‐siphon test associated to barium study in a high prevalence gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease population: a novel statistical approach

Rationale, aims and objectives Gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is ‘a condition which develops when the reflux of gastric content causes troublesome symptoms or complications’. Instrumental diagnostic tests generally used for GORD are 24‐hour pH‐metry and upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy but barium study associated with provocative manoeuvres such as the water‐siphon test (WST), has also been used for GORD. The aim of this paper was to estimate the accuracy of several tests in patients with GORD in a tertiary care setting, focusing on WST, which is rapid and non‐invasive, simple to perform and well‐tolerated by patients. Method A total of 172 consecutive patients, symptomatic for reflux referred to a tertiary medical centre, were considered and data regarding the WST, 24‐hour pH‐metry, upper GI endoscopy with histology were analysed using latent class analysis, a multivariable statistical method for estimating the accuracy of tests when a gold standard is not available. Results The overall proportion of GORD in the sample was estimated at 0.664 [95% confidence interval (CI) = (0.589; 0.731)]. WST proved to be the most sensitive [Se = 0.886; 95% CI = (0.688; 1.000)] compared with pH‐metry [Se = 0.620; 95% CI = (0.493; 0.745)] and endoscopy with histology [Se = 0.534; 95% CI = (0.273; 0.789)]. It was less specific [Sp = 0.537; 95% CI = (0.003; 1.000)] than pH‐metry [Sp = 0.547; 95% CI = (0.281; 0.813)], and even less than endoscopy with histology [Sp = 0.862; 95% CI = (0.495; 1.00)]. Positive predictive values were estimated at 0.792 [95% CI = (0.721; 0.862)] for WST, 0.731 [95% CI = (0.643; 0.819)] for pH‐metry and 0.886 [95% CI = (0.811; 0.961)] for endoscopy with histology. Negative predictive values were estimated at 0.707 [95% CI = (0.573; 0.841)] for WST, 0.422 [95% CI = (0.310; 0.534)] for pH‐metry and 0.484 [95% CI = (0.387; 0.581)] for endoscopy with histology. Conclusion Water‐siphon test might possibly be useful in patients with suspected GORD because it is highly sensitive and predictive. A positive outcome of the WST associated with a barium study can certainly justify upper GI endoscopy and support any pharmacological treatment of GORD.     

Motor disorders of the esophagus: diagnosis and treatment

Esophageal motor disorders may be clearly primary, as in achalasia or diffuse esophageal spasm (DES), or clearly secondary, as in scleroderma or intrathoracic malignancy. In patients with gastroesophageal reflux, abnormal motility of the esophageal body and stomach, and lower esophageal spasm (LES) appear to predispose patients to reflux. It is possible that esophagitis caused by refluxed gastric material then further impairs motility, propagating the injury. Therapeutically, appropriate use of recently available medications, such as calcium channel blockers and metoclopramide, and new applications of previously available agents, such as hydralazine and bethanechol, have improved our ability to relieve symptoms and at times restore more normal motility.     

An Antiregurgitation Milk Formula in the Management of Infants with Mild to Moderate Gastroesophageal Reflux

Background: Thickened milk formulas are used to treat infants with gastroesophageal reflux (GER), but these substances often increase the duration of reflux episodes and worsen symptoms, and they have been associated with diarrhea, constipation, and cough.Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the efficacy of an antiregurgitation milk formula in the clinical and laboratory setting in infants with proved GER, to investigate any possible adverse events (cough and change in the number of bowel movements or the consistency of stools), and to identify its effects on height and body weight.Methods: Infants with recurrent vomiting and GER who were not responsive to standard treatment were eligible for the study. Infants in the treatment group (group A) were managed for 4 weeks with a specific antiregurgitation milk formula (with cornstarch and an increased amount of casein), and those in the control group (group B) were given a standard milk formula. The number of episodes of vomiting, regurgitation, and cough, as well as the frequency and consistency of stool, height, and body weight were noted at least 10 days before and during the study. A second pH monitoring was performed after 4 weeks in both groups.Results: Fifty-six infants (30 boys, 26 girls; mean [SD] age, 3.1 [1.2] months) were included in the study; 30.4% had mild GER; 44.6%, moderate GER; and 25.0%, severe GER. Significantly more infants in group A than in group B (50.0% vs 14.3%, respectively) with mild or moderate GER had normal findings on the second pH monitoring (P<0.05). Changes in the reflux index and in the mean number of vomiting and regurgitation episodes were significantly different between the 2 groups (P<0.05). No significant differences in changes in the mean number of bowel movements and cough events or in the consumption time of the 2 formulas were found between the 2 groups.Conclusion: Infants with mild or moderate GER can be managed effectively with this antiregurgitation milk formula. Improved clinical and laboratory findings were seen in the majority of infants, and the formula was well tolerated, without adverse events.