Impedanciometric evaluation of esophageal transit time in neurologically impaired children carrying symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease

• Grant number: 11/00122-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2011
• End date: February 28, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Joaquim Murray Bustorff Silva
• Grantee: Joaquim Murray Bustorff Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Elizete Aparecida Lomazi

Abstract

Gastroesophageal reflux is the involuntary regurgitation of gastric contents into the esophagus. Usually resolves within the first year of life with the maturation of lower esophageal sphincter, being considered a disease only when it becomes symptomatic. There is evidence that, in neurologically impaired children, not only the disease is more prevalent, but their response to treatment is worse. It is believed that the evaluation of esophageal function in these children and its correlation with clinical and pathophysiological issues may be of paramount importance. Intraesophageal eletric impedance may be used to test the motor function of the esophagus, adding useful data on esophageal motility and so, it seems to be a suitable method for this evaluation. Objective: To evaluate esophageal motility in a group of neurologically impaired children with GERD, comparing the findings with a control group consisdting of children with GER but without NI . Methods: Selected neurologically impaired, aged between 6 and 15 years old and showing clinical signs of GERD referred to the Pediatric Surgery Unit for placing a a gastrostomy will be followed at Hospital das Clinicas - UNICAMP. A group of children with GERD but neurologically normal will serve as controls. O produce the same conditions, however, be neurologically normal. All will undergo a 24hs pHmetry / impedance test, using probes appropriate for their age. The criteria for evaluation of esophageal transit is standardized and preinstalled in the analysis software. Statistical analysis of data will be performed the using appropriate tests, with p values <0.05 being considered indicative of statistical significance. (AU)