Esophageal motility in infants and children

Abstract

Patterns of esophageal motility are presented, and normal values are established in 47 normal infants and children between 2 days and 14 years of age. The tone of the inferior esophageal sphincter mechanism is poor during the first 6 days of life, but increases significantly after the first week and through the first year of life. In the majority of children the inferior esophageal sphincter mechanism is located at or above the level of the effective diaphragmatic hiatus, and an intra-abdominal segment cannot be demonstrated. A progression of peristaltic waves from the esophagus into the fundus of the stomach is noted in children less than 2 years old. This is not found in older children or in adults. Inferior esophageal sphincter tone, relative to intragastric pressure, is poor in infants with regurgitation and with pyloric stenosis. These occur rhythmically and measure 5 to 35 mm Hg in height.