Apnea at discharge and gastro-esophageal reflux in the preterm infant.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the relationship between respiratory patterns and acid gastro-esophageal reflux (g-e reflux) prior to discharge of the formerly preterm infant.


METHODS
Forty-five infants of <32 weeks' gestation were studied at an average postmenstrual age of 37.2 weeks (SD 3.5). Following informed parental consent, a 12-hour multichannel recording including esophageal pH was obtained. Apneas of greater than 10 seconds were recorded, as well as the occurrence of bradycardia or desaturation.


RESULTS
Acid g-e reflux (pH <4.0) occurred at least once in all of the infants; prevalence was between <1% and 41% of the 12-hour record (median 4.6%, interquartile range 0.5% to 9%). The number of reflux episodes ranged from 1 to 143 (median 23). The number of apneas (>10 seconds duration) ranged from 0 to 71, median 6. There was no correlation between apnea frequency or severity and reflux frequency or duration. There was no difference in apnea frequencies between the 5 minutes after the start of a reflux episode and the 5 minutes prior to each episode.


CONCLUSIONS
Acid g-e reflux in the formerly preterm infant at discharge is frequent and may be prolonged; there is no association between reflux and apnea.
Barrington
Keith J
KJ
Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.
Tan
Ken
K
Rich
Wade
W
D001049:Apnea / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D013806:Theophylline / Q000627:therapeutic use
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D013806:Theophylline