J Neurogastroenterol Motil.  2016 Jul;22(3):452-458. 10.5056/jnm16013.

Laryngopharyngeal Reflux in Children with Chronic Otitis Media with Effusion

• Górecka-Tuteja A
• JastrzÄ™bska I
• SkÅ‚adzieÅ„ J
• Fyderek K

• KMID: 2327950
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5056/jnm16013

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
To evaluate the characteristic properties of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in children with otitis media with effusion (OME) using 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance combined with dual-probe (pharyngeal and esophageal) pH-metry.
METHODS
Children aged 7-10 years of age with OME underwent 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance pH-metry. The upper pH sensor was situated 1 cm above the upper esophageal sphincter, and the lower pH sensor was placed 3-5 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter. Parents were asked to complete the gastroesophageal reflux assessment of symptoms in a pediatrics questionnaire.
RESULTS
Twenty-eight children were enrolled; LPR was detected in 19 (67.9%) children. The criteria of the LPR diagnosis was the presence of at least one supraesophageal episode with a pH < 5.0 and a change in the pH value measured from the initial level at the upper sensor of > 0.2. In total, 64 episodes were observed. Assessment of all LPR episodes showed the presence of 246 episodes in the entire study. A considerable predominance of weakly acidic episodes (87.8%) was noted; there were 6.5% acidic episodes, and weakly alkaline episodes reached 5.7%. Pathological GER was noted in 10 (35.7%) subjects. Acid GER was detected in 8 children, 2 of whom demonstrated non-acidic reflux. In the LPR-negative patients, no pathological GER was confirmed with the exception of a single case of non-acidic reflux.
CONCLUSIONS
LPR was frequently noted in the group of children with OME, and it might be an important risk factor in this common disease.

Keyword

Child; Electric impedance; Esophageal pH monitoring; Laryngopharyngeal reflux; Otitis media with effusion

MeSH Terms

Child*
Diagnosis
Electric Impedance
Esophageal pH Monitoring
Esophageal Sphincter, Lower
Esophageal Sphincter, Upper
Gastroesophageal Reflux
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux*
Otitis Media with Effusion*
Otitis Media*
Otitis*
Parents
Pediatrics
Risk Factors