Gastro-oesophageal reflux in Nigerian newborn infants.
Fourteen cases (7 males and 7 females) of neonatal gastro-oesophageal reflux seen at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital in the period 1977-82 were analysed. They all presented with persistent vomiting from birth; 64% of the infants were small for gestational age (SGA). All infants had plain abdominal and chest radiographs and barium meal examination. Eleven neonates had a major gastro-oesophageal reflux but no case of hiatus hernia, oesophagitis or oesophageal stricture was found. Over 80% of patients responded to conservative treatment. There were two deaths. We recommend that SGA newborns presenting with persistent vomiting in the presence of a normal plain abdominal radiograph should be treated as a case of gastro-oesophageal reflux until proven otherwise.
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000151:congenital* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D011859:Radiography; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology