Abstract

Gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) can be frequently found as an underlying cause of airway diseases in childhood. In this prospective study we have examined the occurrence of GER in children with both extrinsic and intrinsic asthma and also in children with recurrent 'wheezy' bronchitis. GER was detected by 24 hour intraesophageal pH monitoring using Oxford Medilog 1010 apparatus. The following parameters were subjected to computer analysis: number of episodes, reflux index, frequency-duration index, and De-Meester score. Twenty nine of 42 children (69%) had pathological GER: 11/17 from the recurrent 'wheezy' bronchitis group, 9/13 children with intrinsic asthma, and 9/12 children - the highest occurrence - with extrinsic asthma. After conservative treatment (domperidon, cizaprid, antacids) lasting on average 4.9 months, the GER normalized in 12 and improved in 5 cases. The airway symptoms disappeared completely in 9 children and 7 patients had fewer symptoms. Only one boy needed surgery.

Keywords: gastro-esophageal reflux, therapy, airway disease