title: Effect of prokinetics in children with recurrent nocturnal retrosternal pain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Children rarely present with vague complaints of nocturnal recurrent retrosternal or upper-abdominal, epigastric, pain. Dysmotility of the upper gastrointestinal tract, including gastro-oesophageal reflux, might be at the origin of these manifestations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical effect of prokinetics (cisapride) in children with recurrent nocturnal retrosternal pain, and to measure the effect of cisapride with a combined oesophageal ambulatory 24 h pH and pressure monitoring.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve children, mean age 9.5 years (range 4.1-14.0 years), with nocturnal recurrent retrosternal pain for more than 6 months, occurring at least three times a week.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-blinded prospective study, with two periods of 2-3 weeks during which cisapride was administered, alternated with two placebo periods of the same duration. Clinical evaluation, and assessment with oesophageal pH and pressure monitoring.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cisapride was related to a temporary relief of the symptoms in 10/12 children. The improvement was demonstrated through a normalization of pH monitoring, and an increase in amplitude and duration of the contractions in the lower oesophagus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cisapride improves complaints of recurrent nocturnal retrosternal pain in children.
authors.affiliation: Academisch Ziekenhuis Kinderen, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hegar
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Pont
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vandemaele
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Vandenplas
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D020117:Cisapride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D012008:Recurrence; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D020117:Cisapride