Lack of significant proximal esophageal acid reflux in infants presenting with respiratory symptoms

Inlet Patch: Heterotopic Gastric Mucosa. Another Contributor to Supraesophageal Symptoms?

“…We demonstrated that patients with IP in the pediatric population have a significantly higher incidence of respiratory symptoms, specifically cough, wheezing, and asthma, compared with the control group (P = .03); however, the prevalence of gastrointestinal and ENT symptoms was similar in the 2 groups in our study. Although a previous study using pH monitoring in infants had not elicited increased acid reflux at the proximal level with respiratory symptoms, 21 the findings of the present study support our hypothesis that the proximal location of acid-secreting gastric mucosa in the IP may contribute to supraesophageal symptoms that affect the airway. 11 One previous study reported an association of dysphagia, retrosternal pain, and laryngeal symptoms, including cough and dyspnea, with IP in adults.…”

Gastroesophageal Reflux and Supraesophageal Complications: Really True or Ballyhoo?

“…This has been true in our experience as well. In our study, eight of nine children with two-level probes had negative pH probe study results for reflux in the proximal exophagus; however, results of proximal esophageal biopsy for five of these same children were abnormal (40). Abnormalities seen during esophageal histology were observed by Yellon et al (41) and in patients with ear, nose, and throat problems.…”

Pulmonary Acoustics and Esophageal pH Monitoring in Infantile Nocturnal Cough

“…A GER incidence of 64% was reported in a group of infants with uncontrolled wheezing. 14 A study of infants with recurrent respiratory symptoms found that 25% had abnormal esophageal pH studies, 15 whereas in our group of infants with nocturnal cough, the incidence of GER was only 11.1%. This apparent discrepancy may be explained by the different study populations: our infants had cough vs. uncontrolled wheeze as their main symptom.…”