title: Upper esophageal sphincter and pharyngoesophageal motor function in infants with and without gastroesophageal reflux.
abstract: Upper esophageal sphincter and pharyngeal motor function were assessed in 16 infants with gastroesophageal reflux and 11 age-matched control infants. Resting upper esophageal sphincter pressure in gastroesophageal reflux infants was 26.6 +/- 10.0 cmH2O (means +/- SD) and was similar to that of control infants (28.9 +/- 10.0 cmH2O). Pharyngeal contraction amplitude, duration, and velocity were the same in control and reflux subjects. A minor degree of incoordination between pharyngeal contraction and upper esophageal sphincter relaxation was noted in 2 control subjects and 2 infants with gastroesophageal reflux. Esophageal acidification produced an increase in mean upper esophageal sphincter resting pressure of 10.0 cmH2O in controls and 11.1 cmH2O in reflux patients.
mesh_terms: D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009130:Muscle, Smooth; D010528:Peristalsis; D010614:Pharynx / Q000503:physiopathology; D011312:Pressure