Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr.  2021 May;24(3):256-264. 10.5223/pghn.2021.24.3.256.

The Role of Combined Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance-pH Monitoring in Infants with Brief, Resolved, Unexplained Events

• Pavić I
• Navratil M
• Bosanac M
• Fureš JS
• Jureković II
• Hojsak I

• KMID: 2515827
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5223/pghn.2021.24.3.256

Abstract

Purpose
Data on the relationship between gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and brief resolved unexplained events (BRUE) in infants is scarce. The aim of this study was to identify the characteristics of combined multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (MII-pH) monitoring in infants who have experienced BRUE.
Methods
We conducted a prospective study of infants who were hospitalized on account of BRUE and required 24-hour MII-pH monitoring.
Results
Twenty-one infants (mean age, 4.7 months; range, 0.9–8.9 months; male/female, 11/10) participated in this study. BRUE symptoms associated with GER were found in 10 infants (47.6%). Based on the RI on pH-metry alone, only 7 (33.3%) infants were diagnosed with GERD. More than 100 GER episodes detected by MII were found in 10 (47.6%) infants. Nineteen percent of infants were diagnosed with GERD based on both pH and MII.
Conclusion
Both acid and non-acid reflux seem to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of GER-related BRUE in infants.

Keyword

Apnea; Infant; newborn; Gastroesophageal reflux