title: Association of lipid-laden alveolar macrophages and gastroesophageal reflux in children.
abstract: The association of lipid-laden alveolar macrophages (LLAM) and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) was investigated prospectively in 115 patients in two groups. Group 1 included 74 children with chronic respiratory tract disorders and documented GER by prolonged esophageal pH monitoring, barium esophagram, and esophagoscopy; group 2 included 41 children with chronic respiratory tract disorders without GER. LLAM were present in 63 (85%) and eight (19%) children from groups 1 and 2, respectively (P less than 0.0001). Thus a strong association between the presence of LLAM and GER in children with chronic respiratory tract disorders was established. We suggest that LLAM from bronchial lavage may be a useful marker for tracheal aspiration in children with GER in whom chronic lung disease may subsequently develop.
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000209:etiology; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000378:metabolism