title: Assessment and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux in healthy infants with apneic episodes: a retrospective analysis of 87 consecutive patients.
abstract: This retrospective study sought to assess whether gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is associated with recurrent infant apneic episodes (AEs) and whether its treatment prevents AEs. Symptoms, diagnostic measures, and treatment of GER in 87 infants admitted for AEs were recorded. The effect of GER on recurrent AEs and survival were assessed. Esophageal pH monitoring was done to 58/87 (67%) patients, of whom 53/58 (91%) had a pathological finding; 48 patients had treatment for GER (medical 43%/49%; surgical 5%/6%) with continuing AEs during hospitalization (25%/29% patients) as the main indication. Follow-up (65 patients) disclosed recurrent AEs in 12 (18%) patients (no treatment 4/21, medical 8/39, surgical 0/5, P = NS). All 87 patients survived. Recurrent AEs after discharge was predicted by AEs during hospitalization but not by pathological GER. AEs observed during hospitalization predicted postdischarge AE recurrence. Of GER treatment modalities, only surgery prevented recurrent AEs.
authors: Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Helsinki, Finland. antti.koivusalo@hus.fi
authors: Antti I
authors: AI
authors: Koivusalo
authors: Mikko P
authors: MP
authors: Pakarinen
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Wikström
authors: Risto J
authors: RJ
authors: Rintala
mesh_terms: D020117:Cisapride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050782:Esophageal pH Monitoring; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018662:Fundoplication; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D009853:Omeprazole; D020117:Cisapride