Prevalence of endoscopic esophagitis in pediatric gastroesophageal reflux disease and relative indication

Abstract

Objective: The typical manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), heartburn and regurgitation, occurs in 2–7% of children but the prevalence of GERD complications is unknown. Aim: Evaluate the prevalence of endoscopic esophagitis (EE) in pediatric patients and the indication to exam performance. Methods:Between January2013andFebruary2014, 72children (median age of children was 13 DS 3 years) underwent to upper endoscopy. Results: The major indication to upper endoscopy was heart burn sensation non responder to acid suppression, 40 (55.5%); epigastralgia and regurgitation 20 (28%); dysphagia 4 (5.5%); anemia 4 (5.5%); intractable vomiting 4 (5.5%). EE was endoscopically documented in 32 patients (44.4%), among which 25 (78.1%) were diagnosed to have mild EE (LA grade A or B). The median age of children with erosive esophagitis was 14 DS 2 years, compared with 10.0 DS 3 years in thosewithout erosive esophagitis (p<0.05). The endoscopic esophagitis is more commune in patients with epigastralgia and regurgitation versus heart burn sensation (55% vs 45%). Conclusions: In conclusion, erosive esophagitis, a complication of GERD, is slightly more common in children and increases with age. The duration of GERD probably, is a risk factor for the development of erosive esophagitis. A previous acid suppression maybe reduces the incidence of EE.