The natural course of gastro-oesophageal reflux

Study on Nocturnal Infant Crying Evaluation (NICE) and Reflux Disease (RED)

BACKGROUND

Nocturnal infant crying is often empirically treated with acid suppressants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in infants with unexplained persistent crying.

METHODS

We enrolled all infants (0-12 months) referred for suspected GER disease who underwent esophageal impedance-pH monitoring (MII-pH) for unexplained persistent crying not improved by parental reassurance, dietary modification or alginate. Gastrointestinal malformation/surgery, neurological impairment and infections were exclusion criteria. Demographic and anthropometric parameters, GER symptoms and questionnaires (I-GERQ-R) and MII-pH data were recorded and analyzed. Normal MII-pH was defined when acid exposure was <3%, symptom index was <50% and symptom association probability was <95%. Acid exposure >5% and >10% was also considered. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-Square and univariate and multivariable regression analysis.

RESULTS

We included 50 infants (median age 3.5 months) who fulfilled the study criteria: 30 (60%) had normal MII-pH. I-GERQ-R score was abnormal in 33 (66%) infants, and 21/33 (64%) had normal MII-pH (p = 0.47). In the 26 (52%) infants with nocturnal crying, MII-pH was normal in 16 (54%) (p = 0.82). Associated regurgitation (>3 or >10 episodes/die) did not predict abnormal MII-pH (p = 0.74, p = 0.82, respectively). Univariate and multivariable regression analysis did not identify any clinical variable significantly associated with abnormal MII-pH.

CONCLUSIONS

Infants with persistent unexplained and nocturnal crying should not be empirically treated with acid inhibitors.

Association Between Pediatric Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptom and Quality of Life Questionnaire Score, Endoscopy and Biopsy in Children with Clinical Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Prospective Study

Purpose

Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a burdensome disease affecting many children. A clinical examination is reported to be unreliable to diagnose GERD in children. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the Pediatric Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptom and Quality of Life Questionnaire (PGSQ) and endoscopic and histopathological findings in children with symptoms suggesting GERD. Changes in the PGSQ score in children with esophagitis as response to one month therapy were recorded as secondary outcome.

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study in the pediatric outpatient clinic in an Indonesian tertiary hospital. Children aged 2-17 years old with clinical symptoms suspected of GERD are included in the study. Blinded endoscopic and histopathological examination was performed in all patients before one month proton pump inhibitors (PPI) therapy. The PGSQ information was collected at inclusion and after one month PPI treatment.

Results

Fifty-eight subjects were included. Esophagitis was found in 60.9% of subjects according to endoscopy and 58.6% according to histology. There was no significant relationship between the PGSQ score and endoscopic (p=0.781) nor biopsy (p=0.740) examinations. The PGSQ showed a low diagnostic value compared to endoscopy and biopsy (area under the curve [AUC] 0.477, p=0.477, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.326-0.629 and AUC 0.474, p=0.740 (95% CI 0.321-0.627 respectively). The PGSQ improved significantly post one month of PPI treatment.

Conclusion

The PGSQ cannot be used to diagnose esophagitis in children with clinical symptoms suggesting GERD. However, the PGSQ can be used to monitor the treatment response in children with esophagitis.

Prevalence of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms in Infants and Children: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is defined as gastroesophageal reflux causing troublesome symptoms or complications. In this study we reviewed the literature regarding the prevalence of GERD symptoms in infants and children.

METHODS

Databases of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane were systematically searched from inception to June 26, 2018. English-written studies based on birth cohort, school-based, or general population samples of ≥50 children aged 0 to 21 years were included. Convenience samples were excluded.

RESULTS

In total, 3581 unique studies were found, of which 25 studies (11 in infants and 14 in children) were included with data on the prevalence of GERD symptoms comprising a total population of 487,969 children. In infants (0-18 months), GERD symptoms are present in more than a quarter of infants on a daily basis and show a steady decline in frequency with almost complete disappearance of symptoms at the age of 12 months. In children older than 18 months, GERD symptoms show large variation in prevalence between studies (range 0%-38% of study population) and overall, are present in >10% and in 25% on respectively a weekly and monthly basis. Of the risk factors assessed, higher body mass index and the use of alcohol and tobacco were associated with higher GERD symptom prevalence.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review demonstrates that the reported prevalence of GERD symptoms varies considerably, depending on method of data collection and criteria used to define symptoms. Nevertheless, the high reported prevalence rates support better investment of resources and educational campaigns focused on prevention.

Epidemiology of bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is among the most common and serious sequelae of preterm birth. BPD affects at least one-quarter of infants born with birth weights less than 1500 g. The incidence of BPD increases with decreasing gestational age and birth weight. Additional important risk factors include intrauterine growth restriction, sepsis, and prolonged exposure to mechanical ventilation and supplemental oxygen. The diagnosis of BPD predicts multiple adverse outcomes including chronic respiratory impairment and neurodevelopmental delay. This review summarizes the diagnostic criteria, incidence, risk factors, and long-term outcomes of BPD.

Barrett's esophagus in children: does it need more attention?

BACKGROUND

Few studies have reported on Barrett's esophagus (BE) in children. Moreover, information on the age at diagnosis and the duration between reflux-symptoms and diagnosis is lacking.

METHODS

A review of the literature was performed in PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane database.

RESULTS

Fourteen articles were included, of which 4 cohort studies and 10 studies investigating patients already diagnosed with BE. The cohort studies showed 37 patients diagnosed with BE (0.3-4.8%), mean age 12.4 years. Time between onset of reflux-symptoms and BE was 2.8 years. All 14 studies together showed 176 patients with BE (mean age 9.5 years). Time between onset of reflux-symptoms and BE was 5.3 years. During endoscopic follow-up of 45 patients, 26 still had BE, 17 no longer had evidence of BE, and two had developed esophageal-adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSION

This review shows that BE and esophageal-adenocarcinoma occur in children. However, criteria used to define BE by the included studies were not comparable to the current criteria and data on GERD symptoms may have been inaccurate. Therefore, we recommend performing a long-term prospective study on the relationship between (duration of) GERD and the development of BE in children in order to define screening guidelines.

Histological evaluation of esophageal mucosa in children with acid gastroesophageal reflux

AIM

histological evaluation of esophageal mucosa in children, with regard to the duration of primary acid gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and acid GER secondary to cow's milk allergy and/or other food allergy (CMA/FA) (prospective study).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

264 children of both sexes suspected of GER were enrolled in the study. The age of examined children was 1.5-102 months, mean age 20.78+/-17.23 months. Pathological acid GER was confirmed with pH-monitoring in 138 children (52.3%). Taking into consideration complex differential diagnosis, including oral food challenge test with potentially noxious nutrient (open or blind study), children were assigned into study groups 1 and 2 (primary and secondary GER). Group 1: 76 patients (28.8%) aged 4-102 months (x=25.2+/-27.28 months) with primary GER. Group 2: 62 patients (23.5%) aged 4-74 months (x=21.53+/-17.79 months) with GER secondary to CMA/FA. Children with GERD underwent preliminary and control (after 1 year and 2 years of GERD diagnosis) endoscopic examination of the upper gastroinestinal tract.

RESULTS

Intensity of esophagitis was assessed initially in 25 children from group 1 (32.9%), in 29 children from group 2 (46.8%), and in 9 children from group 3 - reference group (28.1%). Histological evaluation revealed infiltration of inflammatory cells, mainly neutrophils and intraepithelial lymphocytes, and also eosinophils in 10 children (13.2%) with primary GER. Infiltration of eosinophils and lymphocytes was found in 5 children (8.1%) with secondary GER. In 8 children (25.0%) with food allergy there were only lymphocytes. Infiltration of neutrophils and lymphocytes and basal zone hyperplasia or infiltration of eosinophils and lymphocytes with elongation of lamina propria papillae was found in 10 children (13.1%) with primary GER and in 20 children (32.2%) with secondary GER. Differentiation of particular types of inflammatory cells in mucosal infiltration characterized histological picture in the following way: neutrophils in 21 children (27.6%) with primary GER, eosinophils in 22 children (35.5%) with secondary GER, lymphocytes in 15 children (19.7%) in children with primary GER and in 15 children (24.2%) with secondary GER. Histological examination of esophageal mucosa after 1 and 2 years of clinical observation and periodical conservative treatment in children with primary and secondary GER revealed significant alleviation of inflammatory abnormalities (with regard to the type of abnormalities and the number of particular types of inflammatory cells).

CONCLUSIONS

The value of histological findings obtained in own studies comprises the role of food allergy in pathogenesis of GER and is related to GER's contribution, both direct (primary reflux) and indirect (secondary reflux), to triggering off morphological results and clinical outcomes of esophagitis.

Reduced quality of life in children with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

AIM

To assess self-reported Quality of life (QoL) in children with Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) aged 5-18 and compare this with both disease and healthy control children in a prospective consecutive sample.

METHODS

All children attending a tertiary paediatric gastroenterology clinic from February 2009 to May 2009 with GORD, chronic constipation and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were asked to complete the validated PedsQL generic QoL assessment (self-report) at their clinic appointment. The PedsQL considers physical, emotional, social and school domains and is scored from 0 to 100. Healthy children were also recruited from the same site. Groups were compared using the independent samples Student's t-test.

RESULTS

A total of 184 children completed the assessment [103 (56%) male, mean age 10.7 years +/- 3.3] including 40 children with GORD, 44 with chronic constipation, 59 with IBD and 41 healthy children. QoL was significantly lower in the GORD group compared with both children with IBD (74 vs. 82) and healthy children (74 vs. 84), and was comparable to that of children with chronic constipation (74 vs. 74).

CONCLUSIONS

Self-reported QoL in children with GORD attending a tertiary paediatric gastroenterology clinic is significantly reduced compared with both healthy children and children with IBD.

Pediatric gastroesophageal reflux clinical practice guidelines: joint recommendations of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) and the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN)

OBJECTIVE

To develop a North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) and European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) international consensus on the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease in the pediatric population.

METHODS

An international panel of 9 pediatric gastroenterologists and 2 epidemiologists were selected by both societies, which developed these guidelines based on the Delphi principle. Statements were based on systematic literature searches using the best-available evidence from PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and bibliographies. The committee convened in face-to-face meetings 3 times. Consensus was achieved for all recommendations through nominal group technique, a structured, quantitative method. Articles were evaluated using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine Levels of Evidence. Using the Oxford Grades of Recommendation, the quality of evidence of each of the recommendations made by the committee was determined and is summarized in appendices.

RESULTS

More than 600 articles were reviewed for this work. The document provides evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease in the pediatric population.

CONCLUSIONS

This document is intended to be used in daily practice for the development of future clinical practice guidelines and as a basis for clinical trials.

Acid gastroesophageal reflux and intensity of symptoms in children with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Comparison of primary gastroesophageal reflux and gastroesophageal reflux secondary to food allergy

The ability to differentiate between primary and secondary causes of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is extremely important during the diagnostic procedure. At the same time, the quality of symptoms and the intensity of the course of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) should be estimated. Acid GER is assessed using 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring; the results of this diagnostic test should always be interpreted alongside the clinical picture.

PURPOSE

To establish the interdependence between the intensity of the clinical symptoms and the acid reflux index in children with primary GER and GER secondary to cow's milk protein allergy (CMA) and/or other food allergies (FA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 138 children of various ages with symptoms of GERD were included in the study. The diagnostic procedure included 24-hour pH monitoring of the esophagus with a 2-channel probe (distal and proximal lead). For this purpose, ESPGAN diagnostic criteria were implemented. The type and intensity of typical manifestations of GERD were assessed with the help of our own scoring system. This diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm which includes an oral food challenge test, was applied to 138 children in order to differentiate primary GER from GER secondary to CMA/FA.

RESULTS

Primary GERD was diagnosed in 76 patients (55.1%) with a mean age: x=25.20 months+/-27.28 (group 1) and GERD secondary to CMA/FA was confirmed in 62 children (44.9%) with a mean age: x=21.53 months+/-17.79 (group 2). The most important pH-metric parameter analyzed in study groups 1 and 2 was the GER index: total and supine. An assessment of the intensity of symptoms and a comparative analysis of intensity was evaluated against the GER index: total and supine. Among study group 1, the following gradation of symptoms was found: in 31 children (40.8%)-degree 3, in 33 children (43.4%)-degree 4, and in 12 children (15.8%)-degree 5, whereas among the patients in group 2:25 (40.3%) were in degree 3, 27 (43.6%) were in degree 4, and 10 (16.1%) were in degree 5. It was estimated that the higher the GER result in both total and supine positions (for both leads), the higher the level of symptoms noted. This interdependence was demonstrated for both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In seeking to determine any etiopathogenetic connection between primary GER or GER secondary to CMA/FA and their clinical consequences, 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring with a 2-channel probe is recommended, since it provides for better clinical control of GERD and its appropriate treatment.

Manometric study of lower esophageal sphincter in children with primary acid gastroesophageal reflux and acid gastroesophageal reflux secondary to food allergy

PURPOSE

The comparison of values of selected lower esophageal sphincter (LES) manometric parameters measured in children suspected of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (preliminary study) and in children with primary acid GER and acid GER secondary to cow's milk allergy and/or other food (CMA/FA) in relation to the duration of the disease (prospective study).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring was performed on 264 children of both sexes suspected of GERD (mean age x=20.78+/-17.23 months). Pathological acid gastroesophageal reflux (GER) was diagnosed and divided into primary and secondary reflux in 138 children (52.3%). 76 patients (28.8%) (x=25.2+/-27.28 months) with primary GER made up Group 1. Group 2 consisted of 62 patients (23.5%) (x=21.53+/-17.79 months) with GER secondary to CMA/FA. 32 patients (12.1%) (x=23.7+/-12.63 months) with CMA/FA symptoms made up Group 3 (reference group). Prospective assessment of LES manometric parameters, i.e. resting LES pressure and LES length, was performed on 138 children with GER. Manometric parameters, resting LES pressure and LES length, measured at the preliminary study (0) and control studies (after 1, 2 and 8 years), were prospectively assessed in 138 children. The assessment resulted from clinical observation and/or conservative treatment.

RESULTS

The mean value of resting LES pressure (mm Hg) before treatment was x=11.75+/-3.98 in Group 1, x=11.05+/-3.31 in Group 2, and x=14.17+/-3.86 in Group 3 (reference group). After 2 years of clinical observation, the mean value of resting LES pressure accounted for x=13.71+/-3.88 in Group 1, x=13.01+/-2.94 in Group 2, and x=17.92+/-3.36 in Group 3. The mean LES length (cm) before treatment accounted for x=1.68+/-0.72 in Group 1, x=1.78+/-0.70 in Group 2, and x=2.0+/-0.86 in Group 3. After 2 years of clinical observation, the mean LES length was x=2.80+/-0.40 in Group 1, x=2.76+/-0.40 in Group 2, and x=2.97+/-0.48 in Group 3. 12 children with persistent GERD (Group 1) and 8 children with persistent GERD and food allergy (Group 2) underwent manometric evaluation of LES after 8 years. No statistical differentiation of the mean values of resting LES pressure and LES length were shown in examined children of Groups 1 and 2 during prospective studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Manometric studies of LES assessing only resting LES pressure and its length in the examined children with acid GER do not clearly differentiate GER into primary and secondary refluxes to food allergy.

The diagnosis and management of gastro-oesophageal reflux in infants

Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) occur frequently during the first months of life. Gastro-oesophageal reflux may be a primary gastro-intestinal motility disorder, but it may also be secondary to other conditions such as cow's milk protein allergy. Objective diagnosis can be difficult because there may be absence of correlation between history, results of pH monitoring and histology. Severe GORD may cause minor symptoms, and minor GOR may cause severe symptoms. Several different therapeutic interventions exist. Simply stated, thickened formula reduces regurgitation and alginates and proton pump inhibitors can be used to decrease acid GOR, depending on the severity of the GORD. Efficacy data of prokinetic drugs are either lacking or disappointing. Regarding side-effects, interest has been focused on cisapride, although other molecules have similar effects. Long-term side-effects such as the nutritional consequence of therapeutic management have been insufficiently studied, especially for the acid-reducing molecules.

Unusual retrograde movement of a safety-pin ingested by an infant

Here we present the first reported case of an ingested open safety-pin in a 7-mo-old boy that migrated from the stomach to the oesophagus.

CONCLUSION

This rare complication is probably due to a gastro-oesophageal reflux effect, and for this reason we propose that all infants with safety-pins and other sharp objects in the stomach should be positioned in a semi-upright position.