Valeriu V. Lupu, Marin Burlea, Andreea Lupu, Gabriela Păduraru, Tamara Uliliuc, Smaranda Diaconescu
Objectives The study is investigating the gastroesophageal reflux disease in children using the gold standard method – the 24hour pH-metry. Methods 197 children underwent the 24 hours pH-metry between January 2006 and December 2010 in the Vth Clinic of Paediatrics, „St. Mary” Children Emergency Hospital, Iasi. The patients were selected based on the typical or atypical reflux symptoms: regurgitations, recurrent vomiting, asthma, recurrent wheezing, chronic cough, recurrent respiratory infections. The 24 hours pH-metry results were interpreted with the Boix Ochoa score. Results The reflux was present at 146 children (74.11%), 95 males and 51 females. For the age group 0-1 year, pH-metry was performed in 48 children, and the reflux was present in 34 cases (70.83%). Between 1-3 years old, out of 51 studied cases, 41 (80.39%) had reflux; between 3-10years old, 55 children (71.05%) out of 76 had reflux; and over 10 years old, in 16 cases out of 22 studied, the reflux was demonstrated. Over 50% of the children in the study presented only atypical reflux symptoms, especially respiratory. These children received antireflux treatment with a very good control of the symptoms. Conclusions The oesophageal pH-metry has a decisive role in the diagnosis of gastro oesophageal reflux especially for the children with atypical symptoms of reflux. A correct diagnosis through pH-metry allows a better therapeutical approach. The high percentage of positive pH-metry reflects a good selection based on clinical criteria mainly and on the poor response at the antiasthmatic therapy.