Esophageal pH monitoring for detecting gastroesophageal reflux in children with repaired esophageal atresia

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a common problem in children who were operated upon for esophageal atresia. Reflux can cause serious complications in these children; therefore, it would be of value to identify patients at risk at an early stage. From October 1987 to January 1989, 12 infants with esophageal atresia were operated upon at St Göran's Department of Pediatric Surgery and then followed with ph monitoring at the ages of 1,3,6, and 12 months. At 1 month of age, 5 children had a reflux index of 5% or more; 4 of these 5 developed symptoms of GER. None of the children who had a reflux index of less than 5% showed any symptoms of reflux.It is concluded that pH monitoring at the age of approximately 1 month in children who have been operated upon for esophageal atresia may identify patients belonging to a risk group, who need closer follow-up for symptoms of reflux.Offprint requests to: M. Montgomery