The lower esophageal sphincter in gastroesophageal reflux in children.
Esophageal function was evaluated in 51 children less than 2 years of age with radiologic evidence of gastroesophageal reflux. Detection of an acid esophageal pH was a sensitive measure of gastroesophageal reflux. Lower esophageal sphincter pressures were greater in reflux patients with respiratory symptoms (18.0 +/- 1.4 mm Hg) than in reflux patients without respiratory symptoms (9.5 +/- 1.0 mm Hg). The intra-abdominal segment of the lower esophageal sphincter was shorter in patients with reflux than in controls (0.51 +/- 0.05 cm vs. 0.75 +/- 0.08 cm). It was also shorter in patients requiring surgical therapy (0.34 +/- 0.05 cm) than in those responding to medical therapy (0.63 +/- 0.07 cm).
D000367:Age Factors; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011312:Pressure; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology