Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) is very frequent in the first year of life; indeed, it has been reported that approximately 50% of babies up to 3 month regurgitate at least once per day [1]. GOR might be elicited by several, physiological mechanisms: the supine position, which promotes the rise of gastric content into oesophagus; the relatively abundant milk intakes; the immaturity of oesophageal motility, which entails a poor clearance of refluxate especially in the preterm population [2]. GOR is mainly due to the occurrence of transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations (TLOSRs), unaccompanied by swallowing, that enhance the passage of gastric content in the oesophageal lumen [3], whereas in a few cases GOR follows a sudden increase of intra-abdominal pressure, not supported by a consensual augment of lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) pressure . In the majority of infants experiencing frequent regurgitations without clinical complications (the so-called “happy spitters”), GOR can be considered a physiological and not harmful phenomenon. Nevertheless, in moderate to severe cases, such complications as feeding problems, failure to thrive, esophagitis, odynophagia or lung aspiration [4] are commonly observed, thereby outlining the profile of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). Other atypical symptoms of GORD are bronchospasm, laryngitis, sinusitis, otitis, unexplained irritability and, in a few number of infants, spastic torticollis and dystonic body movements, which characterize the “Sandifer syndrome”. If pathological GOR is suspected, deepen diagnostic investiga- tions should be assessed to evaluate GOR severity and features, as the prevalence of acid or non-acid GOR entails different clinical and therapeutic implications [2].

Corvaglia L., Martini S., Faldella G. (2013). Gastro-oesophageal reflux: Pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnostic and therapeutic management. EARLY HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, 89(4), S18-S19 [10.1016/S0378-3782(13)70084-7].

Gastro-oesophageal reflux: Pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnostic and therapeutic management

CORVAGLIA, LUIGI TOMMASO;MARTINI, SILVIA;FALDELLA, GIACOMO
2013

Abstract

Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) is very frequent in the first year of life; indeed, it has been reported that approximately 50% of babies up to 3 month regurgitate at least once per day [1]. GOR might be elicited by several, physiological mechanisms: the supine position, which promotes the rise of gastric content into oesophagus; the relatively abundant milk intakes; the immaturity of oesophageal motility, which entails a poor clearance of refluxate especially in the preterm population [2]. GOR is mainly due to the occurrence of transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations (TLOSRs), unaccompanied by swallowing, that enhance the passage of gastric content in the oesophageal lumen [3], whereas in a few cases GOR follows a sudden increase of intra-abdominal pressure, not supported by a consensual augment of lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) pressure . In the majority of infants experiencing frequent regurgitations without clinical complications (the so-called “happy spitters”), GOR can be considered a physiological and not harmful phenomenon. Nevertheless, in moderate to severe cases, such complications as feeding problems, failure to thrive, esophagitis, odynophagia or lung aspiration [4] are commonly observed, thereby outlining the profile of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). Other atypical symptoms of GORD are bronchospasm, laryngitis, sinusitis, otitis, unexplained irritability and, in a few number of infants, spastic torticollis and dystonic body movements, which characterize the “Sandifer syndrome”. If pathological GOR is suspected, deepen diagnostic investiga- tions should be assessed to evaluate GOR severity and features, as the prevalence of acid or non-acid GOR entails different clinical and therapeutic implications [2].
2013
Corvaglia L., Martini S., Faldella G. (2013). Gastro-oesophageal reflux: Pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnostic and therapeutic management. EARLY HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, 89(4), S18-S19 [10.1016/S0378-3782(13)70084-7].
Corvaglia L.; Martini S.; Faldella G.
File in questo prodotto:
Eventuali allegati, non sono esposti

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/234495
 Attenzione

Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo

Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 2
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact