A clinical profile and the course and outcome with therapy of 126 infants and children with gastroesophageal reflux (GER), diagnosed at a median age of 2.5 months and followed for 1.5 to 3.5 years is presented. Features included repeated regurgitation or rumination (99%), signs suggesting esophageal pain (49%, excessive crying "colic," sleep disturbance, Sutcliffe-Sandifer syndrome, respiratory symptoms 42%), failure to thrive (18%), and minor hematemesis (18%). Feeding problems and maternal distress were common, associated with child abuse in four cases. Therapy was initially conservative (posture, thickening of feeds, antacids, bethanechol), augmented by cimetidine in those with proven esophagitis (n = 34, 0.27%). Most (81%) were symptom-free by 18 months of age (55% by 10 months of age); 17 percent had fundoplication with good results; 2 percent have persisting symptoms beyond 2 years of age (1% failed surgery). No deaths were recorded. Surgery was performed for recurrent apneas/aspiration (6%), refractory esophagitis or stricture (5%), and failed medical management (7%). Esophagitis was a significant determinant to outcome, and the importance of selective early endoscopy is emphasized. GER is a cause of considerable morbidity in infants but, with active therapy, is self-limiting in the majority. Certain distinctive clinical signs indicate those patients who require detailed investigation and to whom more aggressive therapeutic efforts should be directed.

Female sex hormone levels do not appear to contribute to GORD, once adjustment is made for the influence of increasing BMI.

Background It is known that posture (Supine Vs Sitting) variations can affect the dynamics and manometric characteristics of the OG junction and Oesophageal motility. Aims To study the effect of the Head Down (HD) upside down posture on the esophageal motility characteristics and dynamics of the OG junction using High resolution manometry. This would partially replicate the effect of Obesity (High Intraabdominal pressure) on the OGJ. Methods A single crazy (but sane) volunteer who had no symptoms of GORD served as the model for this unique experiment. A high-resolution manometry was performed using a solid-state transducer catheter with 36 channels. The study was performed in the sitting, supine and head down posture. Basal characteristics recording followed by wet swallows of 5ml of water and completed by rapid water swallows was done in each posture. Analysis was performed in the standard fashion using Chicago classification metrics. Further correlation of findings with a multipostural barium video oesophagogram is awaited. Results The procedure was completed satisfactorily in all the three postures. Satisfactory progression of swallows in a peristaltic sequence was obtained in all the 3 postures. However it was noted that there was a sequential change in the following parameters from the sitting to the supine to head down postures. Increased residual and contraction pressures in the Cricopharyngeal high pressure zone more pronounced in the HD position. Decreased amplitude of contraction of peristaltic sequences Decrease in slope of the peristaltic wave in the HD posture Diminished resting pressure in the HD position Exaggerated separation of the crural diaphragm (CD) and LES on the HD position Increased intragastric pressures in the HD position. Conclusion The above experiment is the first reported of Oesophageal function and OGJ dynamics in a completely unaided head down position using high resolution manometry and video fluoroscopy. The findings may serve to imitate the effect of Obesity on the OJ junction