Esophageal motor activity in children with gastro-esophageal reflux disease and esophagitis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate esophageal body motor contractions occurring during esophageal reflux in pediatric patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD).


METHODS
Patients referred for the evaluation of GERD who were evaluated with combined 24-hour pH probe and esophageal manometry test (MP24) were included. Patients were separated into the following groups: Group C -- normal pH probe and normal EGD; Group 1 -- abnormal pH probe and normal EGD; and Group 2 -- abnormal pH probe and EGD with histologic esophagitis. Esophageal motor function during reflux episodes was analyzed.


RESULTS
Twenty-five patients were included. All had a normal stationary esophageal manometry. Patients in Groups 1 and 2 had significantly more gastroesophageal reflux by pH probe than Group C (P < 0.01). During the MP24, patients in Group 1 and 2 had significantly fewer contractions per minute pre-, during, and post-GER (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in the number of isolated and prolonged contractions (>7 sec) during prolonged GERD episodes >5 minutes (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Children with GERD have a decreased number and abnormal esophageal body contractions with esophageal reflux. This suggests that children with GERD with and without esophagitis have impaired esophageal body acid clearance.
Chitkara
Denesh K
DK
The Motility Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Fortunato
Christine
C
Nurko
Samuel
S
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D049630:Esophageal Sphincter, Lower / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry / Q000379:methods*; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D010528:Peristalsis; D012189:Retrospective Studies