title: Can MII-pH values predict the duration of treatment for GERD in preterm infants?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known regarding the prognostic role of Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance and pH monitoring (MII/pH) parameters in preterm infants with Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our study aimed to evaluate the relationship between MII/pH variables and the duration of pharmacological therapy for GERD, in preterm infants with gestational age (GA) ≤34weeks.
  We retrospectively reviewed data of all newborns with GA ≤34weeks that underwent MII/pH in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and pharmacological treatment for GERD. We included them in a 12-month follow-up program. MII/pH parameters were used as independent variables and the duration of pharmacological therapy as dependent variable in linear regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  16 patients (GA 28.4±1.8weeks, BW 1122±427g) were enrolled into the study. Regression analysis performed on all reflux events reported a significant correlation between the duration of pharmacological treatment and MII-BEI (r(2)=0.36, p=0.01) and MII-reflux frequency (r(2)=0.33, p=0.02). Moreover, regression analysis performed on all events classified according to the corresponding pH change - acidic (ac.), weakly acidic (w.ac.) or weakly alkaline (w.a.) - showed a significant correlation between the duration of pharmacological treatment and MII-w.ac.BEI (r(2)=0.26, p=0.05), MII-w.ac. reflux frequency (r(2)=0.44, p=0.01), and MII-proximal w.ac. reflux frequency (r(2)=0.35, p=0.02). No statistically significant correlation was found between pH-Reflux Index and the duration of treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study shows how, in our population of preterm infants, MII-parameters could have not only a diagnostic role, but also a prognostic value in terms of the duration of pharmacological treatment.
authors: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: derosedomenicoumberto@gmail.com.
authors: Domenico Umberto
authors: DU
authors: De Rose
authors: Neonatal Unit, Sant'Anna-Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Cresi
authors: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
authors: Valerio
authors: V
authors: Romano
authors: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Barone
authors: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
authors: Carlo
authors: C
authors: Fundarò
authors: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
authors: Simona
authors: S
authors: Filoni
authors: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
authors: Simonetta
authors: S
authors: Frezza
authors: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Maggio
authors: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
authors: Costantino
authors: C
authors: Romagnoli
authors: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Gallini
mesh_terms: D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D007234:Infant, Premature
keywords: GERD; MII/pH; Newborns; Preterm infants