Esophageal motor abnormalities in children with gastroesophageal reflux and peptic esophagitis

Esophageal motility was studied in 26 children with gastroesophageal reflux. In 11 patients (group A), esophagitis was severe; in the remaining 15 (group B), either mild or no microscopic changes were found. Lower esophageal sphincter pressure and amplitude, as well as velocity and duration of esophageal pressure waves, were manometrically measured. All patients underwent a 12-week intensive antacid course. Manometric tracings, blindly read, were compared with those of 16 age-matched children with emesis without proven reflux (group C). Among the variables analyzed, amplitude of the motor waves was significantly lower in patients with severe esophagitis than in group B and C patients (P less than 0.01). Nonspecific motor defects (simultaneous, broad-based, double-peaked waves) were more commonly present in group A. At the end of therapy, symptoms had either disappeared or significantly improved. Endoscopic and histologic studies showed disappearance of the severe inflammatory changes. Manometry, repeated in patients with cured severe esophagitis, showed normalization of the amplitude and significant decrease of the nonspecific motility abnormalities. We conclude that severe gastroesophageal reflux disease in children causes esophageal motor dysfunction, resulting from esophageal inflammation. The occurrence of esophageal motility disorders only in patients with severe esophagitis and its disappearance after therapy may account for the favorable course of reflux disease in infancy.     

新生儿胃食管反流发病机理的研究

为探讨新生儿胃食管反流（ＧＥＲ）的发病机理，对３８例经钡餐造影诊为ＧＥＲ的患儿进行食管ｐＨ值动态监测和食管动力功能检查，１５例无症状儿作对照组。结果：ＧＥＲ组各项反流指标均显著大于对照组。３８例中１８例为生理性ＧＥＲ，２０例为病理性ＧＥＲ。病理性反流组下食管括约肌压力（ＬＥＳＰ）和屏障压（ＢＰ）均显著低于对照组，而食管功能的其他指标则差异无显著意义。以总ｐＨ值＜４百分时间２．７７％和综合评分８．９２为９５％参考值上限，则ＧＥＲ组病理性反流的检出率为５５．３％（２１／３８），高于对照组的６．７％（１／１５）（Ｐ＜０．０１）。ＬＥＳＰ和ＢＰ的９５％参考值下限分别为８．３９ｋＰａ、８．１５ｋＰａ，对照组无一例ＬＥＳＰ低下，ＧＥＲ组ＬＥＳＰ降低占１５．７％（６／３８），二组差异无显著意义（Ｐ＞０．０５）。提示：新生儿期食管功能已成熟，新生儿ＧＥＲ的发生不单是ＬＥＳＰ降低这一因素，还可能与短暂下食管括约肌松驰有关。     

Gastroesophageal reflux among severely retarded children.

Of 136 institutionalized severely retarded children, 20 (15%) had recurrent vomiting. Of these 20, 15 had gastroesophageal reflux diagnosed by x-ray examination, acid reflux text, or both. Esophagitis was noted by endoscopy in ten of 14 patients with GER. Four patients were anemic and six had had one or more episodes of aspiration pneumonia in the 12 months prior to study. Reduced basal lower esophageal sphincter pressure was the most common manometric abnormality noted in the patients with GER. Responses of the LES to bethanechol and swallow were normal, as was the basal pressure of the upper esophageal sphincter. Abnormal propagation of esophageal peristalsis was seen in six patients, all of whom had moderate or severe esophagitis. When compared to the nonvomiting retarded patients, the GER patients had significantly lower mental age and higher incidence of scoliosis. Patients with GER who had basal LES pressure less than 10 mm Hg did not improve with medical management. Recurrent vomiting is a common and serious problem in severely retarded children, the organic cause of which can be demonstrated by the application of appropriate investigative techniques.     

先天性膈疝术后食管功能及胃食管反流的临床观察

目的 了解先天性膈疝修补术后预后及术后食管功能和胃食管反流情况。方法 对46例先天性膈疝修补术后进行随访，13例进行了24h食管双极pH及24h动态压力测定，了解胃食管功能。结果 13例进行了24h食管pH及压力测定的膈疝修补术后患儿中，7例有胃食管反流，其中3例术中应用补片，4例术前显示胃疝入胸腔。结论 先天性膈疝修补术后可出现胃食管反流，24h测压及pH测定表现为食管蠕动功能明显减弱，这种食管下端蠕动功能减弱与膈疝修补术后出现胃食管连接解剖异常及膈肌发育不良可能相关。     

健康儿童及病理性胃食管反流患儿食管动力功能研究

目的了解小儿食管运动的生理学,探讨小儿病理性胃食管反流(GER)发生的食管动力学基础。方法对60例健康儿童和62例经食管pH监测诊断为病理性GER的患儿用低顺应性毛细管灌注系统进行食管测压研究,并对健康儿童组不同年龄段之间,两组同一年龄段之间进行食管动力功能比较。结果健康儿童组下食管括约肌长度(LESL)随着年龄的增加而增长,胸内段和腹内段也相应增加(P＜0.01),下食管括约肌压力(LESP)以～1岁组为高(P＜0.05);上食管括约肌长度(UESL)随年龄的增加而增长(P＜0.01),上食管括约肌压力(UESP)以～1岁组和～3岁组为低(P＜0.01)。病理性反流患儿的食管动力功能,除～7岁组食管蠕动传导速度低于同一年龄段健康儿童外(P＜0.05),其余指标两组同一年龄段间的差异均无显著性。结论LESP的抗反流功能与年龄关系不大,LESL、UESL和UESP的功能3岁以后逐渐成熟,小儿病理性GER的发生与LESP、LESL关系不大。     

Effect of baclofen on esophagogastric motility and gastroesophageal reflux in children with gastroesophageal reflux disease: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of baclofen, a gamma-amino-butyric-acid B receptor agonist that inhibits transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (TLESR), on the rates of TLESR, gastroesophageal reflux (GER), and gastric emptying (GE) in children with GER disease. STUDY DESIGN: The efficacy of 0.5 mg/kg baclofen was evaluated in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in 30 children. Patients were intubated with a manometric/pH assembly and given 250 mL of cow's milk. Esophageal motility and pH were then measured for 2 hours (control period). Baclofen or placebo was then administered, and 1 hour later 250 mL of milk was given again and measurements performed for another 2 hours (test period). The GE rate was measured by the (13)C octanoate breath test. RESULTS: Baclofen significantly reduced the incidence of TLESR (mean, 7.3 +/- 1.5 vs 3.6 +/- 1.2 TLESR/2 hours; P < .05) and acid GER (mean 4.2 +/- 0.7 vs 1.7 +/- 1.0 TLESR + GER/2 hours; P < .05) during the test period compared with the control period. Baclofen significantly accelerated the GE rate (median [interquartile range], GE(t1/2), 61 minutes [39, 81 minutes] vs 114 minutes [67, 170 minutes]; P < .05). Baclofen had no effect on the swallowing rate, pattern of esophageal peristalsis, or lower esophageal sphincter pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Baclofen reduces GER in children by inhibiting the triggering of TLESR. Baclofen also accelerates GE.     

Nonspecific esophageal motility disorders in children without gastroesophageal reflux.

BACKGROUND: Nonspecific esophageal motility disorders (NEMDs) have been identified in up to 50% of adults with noncardiac chest pain or dysphagia. This study sought to determine the incidence of NEMDs in children with upper gastrointestinal tract symptoms and to evaluate the clinical course of pediatric patients with these manometric abnormalities. METHODS: The study involved 154 children aged 4 to 18 years (mean age, 11.6+/-2.6 years [SE]) who had upper gastrointestinal, swallowing-related symptoms. The children were evaluated by 24-hour intraesophageal pH monitoring, esophageal manometry, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy. RESULTS: Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) was diagnosed by pH study in 109 (71%) of 154 patients, and examination of biopsy specimens demonstrated esophagitis in 70 children with GER. Results of esophageal manometry were abnormal in 30 (67%) of 45 children without GER. A variety of motility disorders were diagnosed in 17 of the patients without GER, whereas NEMDs were diagnosed in the remaining 13 children (mean age, 10.6+/-2.7 years; 10 boys, 3 girls). Patients with GER showed normal esophageal wave propagation; however, mean lower esophageal sphincter pressure was significantly lower in patients with GER than in children with NEMDs. The children with NEMDs exhibited a diverse array of symptoms, including esophageal food impaction in 4 of the 13 patients. During a 36.2+/-4.3-month follow-up period, no correlation was found between therapeutic intervention and clinical course in the 13 patients with NEMDs. Symptomatic improvement occurred in 6 of 13 patients, including 3 children for whom no pharmacologic therapy was prescribed. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that NEMDs represent a common group of esophageal manometric abnormalities in children with upper gastrointestinal tract symptoms and without GER. Food impaction appears to be a relatively frequent complication, and NEMDs should be considered in children who have this finding.     

Incompetent lower esophageal sphincter and gastroesophageal reflux in recurrent acute pulmonary disease of infancy and childhood

Fifteen patients with recurrent acute respiratory symptoms were evaluated for gastroesophageal reflux. All 15 had barium esophagrams. Ten of 15 had acid reflux tests performed and lower esophageal sphincter pressures measured. The data were compared to those in 23 patients with no acid reflux and 23 patients with positive acid reflux but no respiratory symptoms. Ten of ten patients with respiratory symptoms who were evaluated by the acid reflux test had positive results. The remaining five demonstrated GER by barium esophagram. LES pressure measurements in the ten patients were 11.3 +/- 1.5 mm Hg, which was significantly lower than the pressures in the acid reflux-negative group (20.3 +/- 1.3 mm Hg, P less than 0.001) but not different than in the patients with GER but no respiratory symptoms (13.9 +/- 1.5 mm Hg, P greater than 0.05). GER secondary to an incompetent lower esophageal sphincter may be one cause of recurrent acute respiratory disease in infants and children.     

胃食管反流病发病机制的研究进展

胃食管反流（GER）与胃食管反流病（GERD）属胃肠动力病（GIMD）范畴,其发病机制至今仍存在诸多问题尚未解决。多种因素参与GERD的发病,包括抗反流防御机制降低：下食管括约肌（LES）功能失调、食管清除功能下降、食管组织抵抗力损伤、胃排空延迟等;胃酸、胃蛋白酶主要攻击因子对食管黏膜损害;幽门螺杆菌感染;社会心理因素;Cajal间质细胞数量减少和功能障碍因素。全面理解其发病机制有助于制订治疗方案,改善GERD患儿症状,提高生活质量。     

Esophageal aperistalsis due to reflux esophagitis: a report of two cases

Two small infants with gastroesophageal reflux disease and esophagitis are reported. Esophageal manometry revealed in both patients severe abnormalities consisting of aperistalsis and simultaneous low-amplitude motor waves. In one of the patients, defective relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter was also noted. Short-term intensive treatment with H2 antagonists resulted in symptomatic and endoscopic improvement as well as in manometric normalization. It is suggested that severe esophagitis may affect control mechanisms of esophageal motility, resulting in loss of coordination and decreased amplitude of contractions.     

Recurrent pulmonary disease in children: a complication of gastroesophageal reflux.

To evaluate the role of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) as a possible cause of recurrent pulmonary disease, 30 children, aged 1 to 18 years, were studied prospectively with esophageal function tests. These included esophagram (30 patients), esophageal manometry (29 patients), pH probe (Tuttle) test (29 patients), and esophagoscopy with esophageal biopsy (23 patients). The patients studied had either chronic asthma or two or more documented pneumonias within a one-year period. Nineteen (63%) had GER based on two or more positive tests. Eighteen had positive Tuttle tests; 13 had abnormal manometry studies; nine had esophagitis on biopsy; six had esophagitis on esophagoscopy; and five had reflux on esophagram. Of those with GER, 17 had a history of nocturnal cough and eight vomited during infancy. Children with recurrent pulmonary disease should have esophageal function testing to exclude GER as the cause.     

小儿胃食管反流病的治疗

胃食管反流（gastroesophageal reflux,GER）是指胃内容物包括从十二指肠流入胃的胆盐和胰酶反流入食管,可分为病理性和生理性,生理性反流可发生在正常的儿童,空腹或睡眠的情况下不发生反流;病理性反流是发作频繁或持续,导致了食管炎、食管不适的症状或呼吸道疾病等。胃食管反流的治疗是一个较长的过程,包括改变生活方式、内科药物治疗和外科手术治疗。要根据对患儿生活质量（尤其与健康相关的生活质量）的影响和治疗的经济性来选择治疗方式和药物。儿童大多数病理性反流经保守治疗,能获得满意的效果。     

Delayed gastric emptying and gastroesophageal reflux: a pathophysiologic relationship

BACKGROUND: Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is frequent in patients with gastroesophageal reflux (GER), but its pathophysiologic role has not yet been established. To identify a relationship between DGE and GER, we assessed whether DGE increases esophageal acid exposure and the related importance of possible mechanisms. METHODS: Thirty pediatric patients with pathological GER were divided according to gastric emptying scintigraphy into a DGE group (n = 14) and normal-emptying group (n = 16). The esophageal pH-monitoring parameters of the two groups were compared with respect to the individual variation between postprandial and fasting periods. RESULTS: Patients with DGE had less total acid exposure than did those with normal emptying, but patients in both groups had a pathological fraction of time when pH was below 4 in both the postprandial (median: 18 vs. 27.6; P = 0.49) and fasting (8.5 vs. 23.9; P = 0.01) periods. Patients in the normal-emptying group had similar fraction of time when pH was below 4 in the postprandial and fasting periods. However, patients in the group with DGE had a fraction of time when pH was below 4 in the postprandial period that was almost double that presented in fasting period (postprandial to fasting ratio: 2.11:0.90; P = 0.002). The postprandial to fasting ratio for episodes per hour was similar in the two groups (1.81 vs. 1.79; P = 0.62). Patients with DGE had a significantly higher frequency of long episodes in the postprandial period than did those with normal emptying (62.5% vs. 38.2%; P = 0.04). The occurrence of the longest episode in the postprandial period was also significantly higher for patients with DGE (57.1% vs. 6.2%; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: DGE seems to accentuate postprandial reflux by increasing the volume of refluxate per episode of reflux through an underlying incompetent lower esophageal sphincter.     

Childhood gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in adult patients

OBJECTIVES: Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and its esophageal (esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus) and extraesophageal (asthma, laryngeal disease) disease manifestations (GERD) are increasing common problems in children and adults. There are virtually no published longitudinal outcome studies that describe the natural history of childhood-onset GER throughout a person's lifetime. The aim of this study was to compare the frequency of recalled childhood reflux symptoms in adult patients currently with and without GER symptoms. METHODS: Four hundred adult patients were classified as refluxers (225 patients; 57%), nonrefluxers (154 patients; 38%), and those who claimed to not know if they had reflux (21 patients; 5%; excluded from analysis). Subjects were given a questionnaire asking them to recall childhood symptoms attributed to GER. Of the 225 refluxers, 141 (63%) recalled at least one childhood symptom, compared with 54 of the 154 nonrefluxers (35%) ( < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Adult refluxers were more likely to recall having developed GER symptoms at an earlier age, beginning at infancy and developing statistically significant GER compared with nonrefluxers after age 11. Adults suffering from GER were far more likely than nonrefluxers to recall having experienced GER symptoms during childhood. Well-designed, population-based epidemiologic studies are needed to more accurately assess the extent of GER in the overall population and the extent of its impact on health care in the United States.     

24小时食管pH及压力测定对胆总管囊肿术后胃食管反流的监测

目的 24h食管pH及压力测定及胆总管囊肿术后胃食管反流的监测。方法 对10年期63例先天性胆总管囊肿患儿中18例术后进行了24h食管双极pH及压力测定。结果 8例患儿出现胃食管反流,行囊肿切除肝管空肠Roux-Y吻合加抗反流装置3例,囊肿空肠Roux-Y吻合,无人工套叠4例,有人工套叠1例。结论 先天性胆总管囊肿术后可出现胃食管反流,反流与食管廓清运动能力无关,可能与异常的十二指肠活动有关。     

Esophageal motility and gastroesophageal reflux in children with chronic respiratory diseases

Children with chronic respiratory diseases may be a high-risk population for gastroesophageal reflux (GER). In order to describe GER in this population, we systematically studied 7-h pH-metry and prolonged esophageal manometry (over 45 min) in 124 children admitted for respiratory disorders without digestive symptoms. The results showed that: (1) GER varied in significance before and after meals; (2) postprandial reflux was correlated with esophageal motor activity, but preprandial reflux was not; (3) moderate refluxers had reduced lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, but severe refluxers had no significative decrease in LES pressure. The use of multivariate analysis permitted us to conclude that long-term esophageal manometry and pH-metry were complementary in defining severe GER. Offprint requests to: M. Bouchoucha     

Esophageal aperistalsis following fundoplication in a patient with trisomy 21

Gastrointestinal abnormalities are frequent in patients with Down syndrome (DS), gastroesophageal reflux (GER) being prominent among them. A 10-year-old boy with DS presented with progressive daily vomiting and an upper gastrointestinal study documenting reflux. A laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication was performed uneventfully. Postoperative inability to take solids was noted and a contrast study showed a tight gastroesophageal junction and poor peristalsis. Persistent symptoms were not alleviated by esophageal dilatation, despite a relaxing lower esophageal sphincter. Esophageal manometry documented complete esophageal aperistalsis. A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was placed and the patient required long-term tube feeds. Esophageal aperistalsis is a rare condition in DS, likely superimposed on GER. Fundoplication may adversely affect the already abnormal esophageal motility in these children. Esophageal manometry preoperatively will identify motility disorders and assist in selecting the best management for these patients. Accepted: 26 May 1998     

Omeprazole maintenance therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease after failure of fundoplication

BACKGROUND: Recurrence of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in children after failed fundoplication poses a therapeutic challenge. The authors report the experience with long-term omeprazole for children with severe GER after failed fundoplication. METHODS: The authors reviewed the charts of all children who were treated with omeprazole for GER subsequent to failed fundoplication from 1990 to 1999. All underwent endoscopic and clinical assessment of the treatment at baseline, at 3-5 months, at 6-9 months, and annually. RESULTS: Eighteen children presented with GER, after a total of 27 fundoplications. Ten had corrected esophageal atresia, 6 had neurologica impairment, and 2 had hiatal hernia. The mean age of presentation of children with recurrence of GER was 7.8 years, and symptoms of GER occurred 4.9 years (range, 0.6-13) after last fundoplication. Fifteen patients had a mean follow-up of 4.4 years for omeprazole. Ten patients had grade III/IV esophagitis and 5 had grade II esophagitis at presentation after fundoplication. Marked improvement was noted in symptoms of GER and severity of esophagitis while taking omeprazole. Remission of esophagitis was maintained while the patient was taking omeprazole and none had further surgery. There was no recurrence of peptic strictures in eight of nine children on omeprazole, after initial esophageal dilatations. Except for benign gastric polyps in three patients, no clinical adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Omeprazole is an effective long-term drug for gastroesophageal reflux disease after failed fundoplication in children. Omeprazole was well-tolerated by all children and should be tried before subsequent surgical intervention.     

Mechanisms of gastro-oesophageal reflux in cystic fibrosis.

Abnormal degrees of gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) were detected by 24 hour intraoesophageal pH measurement in 12 of 14 children (mean age 7.9 years; range 5 months-16 years) affected by cystic fibrosis and complaining of symptoms suggesting GOR. These patients underwent combined recording of distal oesophageal motility and intraluminal pH in order to investigate mechanisms of GOR. Inappropriate lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation was the most common mechanism of reflux in all patients. Other mechanisms (appropriate relaxation or lowered pressure of the lower oesophageal sphincter, increased intragastric pressure) were detected less frequently. Frequency of inappropriate lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations was significantly higher in patients with cystic fibrosis than in other study groups (symptomatic GOR, GOR disease complicated by respiratory complaints). Inappropriate lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations occurred with the same frequency in patients with cystic fibrosis and in a group of children with GOR disease complicated by oesophagitis. Abnormalities of distal oesophageal contractions such as decreased amplitude or uncoordinated waves were also recorded in cystic fibrosis patients. Seven patients with cystic fibrosis completed a therapeutic trial for eight weeks consisting of postural treatment and oral cisapride, a new prokinetic drug. The oesophageal acid exposure improved in only three patients. We conclude that pathologic GOR is commonly associated with cystic fibrosis. The predominant reflux mechanism in these patients is a transient inappropriate lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation rather than a low steady state basal lower oesophageal sphincter pressure.     

Paradoxical impact of body positioning on gastroesophageal reflux and gastric emptying in the premature neonate

OBJECTIVES: To combine manometry and impedance to characterize the mechanisms of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and to explore their relation to the rate of gastric emptying (GE) and body position. STUDY DESIGN: Ten healthy preterm infants (35 to 37 weeks' postmenstrual age) were studied with the use of a micromanometric/impedance assembly. Episodes of GER were identified by impedance, and the mechanism(s) of GER triggering and GER clearance were characterized. GE was determined with a C13Na-octanoate breath test. RESULTS: Gastroesophageal reflux episodes (n=89) were recorded, consisting of 74% liquid, 14% gas, and 12% mixed. Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (TLESR) was the predominant mechanism of reflux, triggering 83% of GER. Of 92 TLESRs recorded, 27% were not associated with reflux. Infants studied in the right lateral position had significantly (P <.01) more GER, a higher proportion of liquid GER (P <.05), and faster GE (P <.005) when compared with infants studied in the left lateral position. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy preterm infants, GER is predominantly liquid in nature. Right-side positioning is associated with increased triggering of TLESR and GER despite accelerating GE.