title: Esophageal motor activity in children with gastro-esophageal reflux disease and esophagitis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: The Motility Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
authors.forename: Denesh K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Chitkara
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fortunato
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nurko
mesh_terms: 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