Diagnostic modalities for gastro-esophageal reflux in infantile wheezers.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the diagnostic value of Gastro-intestinal (GI) scintiscan with 24-h pH study in detecting gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) among infantile wheezers.


METHODS
Fifty-two children < 2 years of age.


METHODS
All patients, irrespective of symptom underwent study to evaluate for GER.


RESULTS
GER studies were positive in almost 45% of cases. The agreement between positivity of these two tests is best among children between 7 and 12 months of age (κ = 0.591, p = 0.002). Overall GI scintiscan was a better test with higher sensitivity and specificity as compared to 24-h pH study when compared with the history suggestive of reflux and clinical response with anti-reflux treatment as standard (p ≤ .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Both GER scan and 24-h pH study are complimentary to each other, however, if both the tests are available then GI scintiscan is better as a single test for GER in these early wheezers.
Patra
Soumya
S
Department of Pediatrics, Lady Hardinge Medical College & Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital, New Delhi, India. dr_soumyapatra@rediffmail.com
Singh
Varinder
V
Chandra
Jagdish
J
Kumar
Praveen
P
Tripathi
Madhvi
M
D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005745:Gastric Acidity Determination; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid