[Gastroesophageal reflux disease in preschool children with asthma].
BACKGROUND
In pediatric intractable asthma, there is occasionally an association with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). It is not clear in which cases GERD should be suspected or how effective the GERD therapy is in treating the asthma.


METHODS
Twenty-seven preschool children (<6 years of age) suffering from recurrent asthma attack in spite of asthma therapy underwent 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring. We examined retrospectively the incidence of GERD and the effectiveness of famotidine in GERD positive patients.


RESULTS
18 of the 27 patients (66.7%) had positive results (GERD positive group). In 12 of the 15 patients (80%) who underwent GERD therapy (famotidine), respiratory symptoms were decreased. In the GERD positive group, the incidence of acid reflux during waking hours was more frequent than during sleeping hours. In 8 of 12 patients (66.7%) in whom famotidine was effective, cough and wheeze often occurred during the daytime and corresponded with the time when acid reflux must commonly occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that children suffering from recurrent asthma attack in spite of asthma therapy must be examined for the presence of GERD.
Department of Pediatrics, Osaka Prefectural Hospital Organization Osaka Prefectural Medical Center for Respiratory and Allergic Disease. yukii@hbk.pref,osaka.jp
Yukinori
Y
Yoshida
Makoto
M
Kameda
Tomoki
T
Nishikido
Isamu
I
Takamatu
Satoru
S
Doi
D000730:Androstadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D050782:Esophageal pH Monitoring; D015738:Famotidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068298:Fluticasone; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000730:Androstadienes; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D015738:Famotidine; D000068298:Fluticasone