title: Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in premature calves.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is the presence of gastric contents proximal to the stomach. Pathologic consequences secondary to GER are termed gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of GER and GERD in premature calves by endoscopic examination.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten healthy and 51 premature calves were included in the study. All premature calves also had respiratory distress syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Esophagoscopy of premature calves was conducted by fiber optic endoscopy. Abnormalities such as increased saliva, hyperemia, hemorrhage, petechiae, presence of abomasal content in the esophagus, and relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) were evaluated by endoscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of GERD and GER in the premature calves was 55 and 67%, respectively. Hyperemia and hyperemia with hemorrhage or petechiation of the esophageal mucosa were determined by endoscopic examination. Hyperemia was commonly observed in the distal esophageal mucosa, although a few hyperemic areas also were observed in other portions of the esophagus. In addition to these abnormalities, LES relaxation, abomasal fluid in the distal esophagus, abomasal content in the esophagus, and increased saliva also were observed in premature calves with GER.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of both GER (67%) and GERD (55%) in premature calves was high in the study. Endoscopy provides a practical, rapid, noninvasive, and reasonably accurate method for determining the presence of GER and GERD in premature calves.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Selcuk, Konya, Turkey.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Guzelbektes
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coskun
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ok
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Aydogdu
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology