Measuring Esophageal Length in Infants with GERD
Author Information
Author(s): Dehdashti Hamid, Dehdashtian Masoud, Rahim Fakher, Payvasteh Mehrdad
Primary Institution: Ahwaz Jondishapour University of Medical Sciences
Hypothesis
The study aims to investigate the diagnostic value of sonographic measurements of abdominal esophagus length in neonates and infants with and without gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Conclusion
Children with severe reflux had a shorter esophagus compared to those with mild and moderate reflux, particularly in the neonate group.
Supporting Evidence
- Neonates and infants with reflux had a significantly shorter abdominal esophagus than those without reflux.
- The mean difference in esophageal length was 4.65 mm for neonates with reflux.
- Children with severe reflux had a shorter esophagus compared to those with mild and moderate reflux.
Takeaway
Doctors used ultrasound to measure the length of the esophagus in babies to see if it helps diagnose a condition called GERD, which makes them spit up a lot.
Methodology
This was a prospective case-control study involving 235 neonates and infants, with measurements taken via sonography and confirmed by barium meal.
Potential Biases
Potential bias may arise from the selection criteria and the reliance on sonographic diagnosis.
Limitations
The study excluded patients who had used anti-acid drugs or had other gastrointestinal disorders, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
The study included 235 children under 1 year of age, with 115 diagnosed with GERD and 120 as controls.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI provided for various measurements.
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website