714 Relationship Between Esophageal Swallow Patterns and Reflux Characteristics in Newborns with Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

• Published in: Archives of disease in childhood 2012-10, Vol.97 (Suppl 2), p.A205-A206
• Main Authors: Cresi, F, Liguori, SA, Locatelli, E, Maggiora, E, Savino, F, Bertino, E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Correlation; Impedance; Infants; Neonates; Young Children
• ISSN: 0003-9888; 1468-2044
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2012-302724.0714

Background and Aims Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations are primarily responsible for GER in healthy infants and plays an important role in preterm and term infants with GER disease (GERD). Gastroesophageal dismotility due to immaturity could also promote impaired swallowing patterns influencing the esophageal clearance. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between esophageal swallow patterns and reflux characteristics in newborns with GERD symptoms. Methods Esophageal swallow patterns and refluxes were visually evaluated in preterm and at term bottle fed newborns who underwent Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance (MII) analysis for clinical suspect of GERD. The swallow frequency, the mean Bolus Head Advance Time (BHAT), the mean Total Bolus Transit Time (TBTT) and reflux characteristics (frequency, duration and impedance bolus exposure index) were assessed for each patient. Abstract 714 Figure 1 Pearson correlation was used to evaluate the relationship between swallow and reflux variables; p was set at 0.05. Results Fifty-four newborns (10 preterm) were enrolled in the study. They had a median(IQR) age of 22(22.5) days, a Gestational age of 37(6) weeks and a postconceptional age of 41.8(4.9) weeks. A significant positive correlation was found between TBTT and IBEI% (r=0.494; p