[Clinical application of high resolution manometry for examining esophageal function in neonates].
OBJECTIVE
To examine the esophageal function of neonates by high resolution manometry (HRM), and to provide preliminary data for research on the  esophageal function of neonates.


METHODS
Esophageal HRM was performed on neonates using a solid-state pressure measurement system with 36 circumference sensors arranged at intervals of 0.75 cm, and ManoView software was used to analyze esophageal peristalsis pattern.


RESULTS
Esophageal HRM was performed successfully in 11 neonates, and 126 occurrences of complete esophageal peristalsis were recorded. Complete esophageal peristalsis with pressure increase was recorded in some neonates but most neonates showed a different esophageal peristalsis pattern compared with adults. Some neonates had no relaxation of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) when pharyngeal muscles contracted in swallowing, some neonates had multiple swallowing without esophageal peristalsis and some neonates had relatively low pressure of esophageal peristalsis. Full-term infants could have relatively low UES pressure and esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure but some preterm infants showed relatively high UES pressure and LES pressure. Longitudinal contraction of the whole esophagus and elevation of LES after swallowing were recorded in some neonates.


CONCLUSIONS
Esophageal HRM is safe and tolerable for neonates. HRM shows that esophageal peristalsis after swallowing may not occur or may be incomplete in neonates. The esophageal function of neonates has not yet been developed completely, with large individual differences in esophageal peristalsis. Large sample data are needed for further analysis and research on the esophageal function of neonates.
Department of Pediatrics, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China. jimhanswang@sina.com
Zheng-Hong
ZH
Li
Dan-Hua
DH
Wang
Mei
M
Dong
Mei-Yun
MY
Ke
Zhi-Feng
ZF
Wang
D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D049630:Esophageal Sphincter, Lower / Q000502:physiology; D049631:Esophageal Sphincter, Upper / Q000502:physiology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry / Q000379:methods*; D010528:Peristalsis