Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis.  2003 Sep;13(3):189-198.

Clinical Significance of Each Parameter of Esophageal pH Monitoring in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

• Kim HJ
• Jung KA
• Lee MH
• Lee JS

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to show the clinical importance of each parameter of esophageal pH-metry regarding age distribution. Also, the study was done to compare the reliability of each parameter in diagnosing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). METHODS: A retrospective study, based on hospital discharge registry, was conducted among 30 children who were given 24hr esophageal pH monitoring. The patients with GERD were divided into two groups i.e., group I, children under 12 months of age (24 patients), group II, children between 1-7 years of age (17 patients). We compared the clinical presentations between these two groups and analyzed each four parameters of 24hr pH monitoring. RESULTS: The study suggests that the parameter of 24hr pH monitoring with the highest effect on total score was reflux index common to both groups. In addition, comparing esophageal pH parameter, the number of the longest reflux episode according to body position, the upright positions were more associated with high total score in patients with GERD over 12 month of age. CONCLUSION: In interpretations of 24hr pH monitoring, taking each parameter and age into consideration is important. There is an inevitable overlap of data between normal and abnormal populations. Therefore, a further study with larger sample is required to establish the range of the physiologic and the pathologic GERD.

Keyword

Gastroesophageal reflux disease; 24hr pH monitoring

MeSH Terms

Age Distribution
Child
Esophageal pH Monitoring*
Gastroesophageal Reflux*
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Retrospective Studies