Abstract

Upper esophageal sphincter and pharyngeal motor function were assessed in 16 infants with gastroesophageal reflux and 11 age-matched control infants. Resting upper esophageal sphincter pressure in gastroesophageal reflux infants was 26.6 ± 10.0 cmH2O (x̄ ± SD) and was similar to that of control infants (28.9 ± 10.0 cmH2O). Pharyngeal contraction amplitude, duration, and velocity were the same in control and reflux subjects. A minor degree of incoordination between pharyngeal contraction and upper esophageal sphincter relaxation was noted in 2 control subjects and 2 infants with gastroesophageal reflux. Esophageal acidification produced an increase in mean upper esophageal sphincter resting pressure of 10.0 cmH2O in controls and 11.1 cmH2O in reflux patients.

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