24 Hour Esophageal PH Monitoring in Preterm Infants.
- Author:
Jeung Hyun PARK
1
;
Beom Soo PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Korea. bspark@med.chungbuk.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Gastroesophageal reflux;
Preterm infants;
24 hour esophageal pH monitoring
- MeSH:
Apnea;
Birth Weight;
Child;
Electrodes;
Esophageal pH Monitoring*;
Gastroesophageal Reflux;
Gestational Age;
Humans;
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration;
Infant;
Infant, Newborn;
Infant, Premature*;
Microelectrodes;
Respiratory Sounds;
Silicones;
Theophylline;
Weight Gain
- From:Korean Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
2001;4(2):133-141
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) has been found to be the causative factors of apnea, stridor, feeding intolerance, poor weight gain, and sudden infants death syndrome (SIDS) in infants. GER is a well-described in infants and children, but only scant mention of the premature infants with GER can be found in the literature. METHODS: Esophageal pH was measured during 24 hour in 21 healthy preterm infants, using a silicone microelectrode with an external reference electrode connected to a portable recorder. The mean age of the patients was 29+/-8 days, mean gestational age was 30(+5)+/-2(+0) weeks, mean birth weight was 1,468+/-329 g, mean postconceptional age was 34(+6)+/-1(+4) weeks and mean weight was 1,750+/-329 g. We evaluated the following reflux parameters; number of acid reflux, number of long acid reflux, longest acid reflux minutes, and reflux index. RESULTS: Pathologic GER was detected in 12 (57%) subjects and most interesting parameters are reflux index and number of episodes with a pH<4 during 24 hour (high correlation with postprandial reflux index). Reflux was not correlated to gestational age, birth weight, age, postconceptional age, weight, sex and medication of the theophylline. CONCLUSION: Gastroesophageal reflux is common in preterm infants, but it is usually not apparent, even with severe reflux.
