Upstream effect of esophageal distention: effect on airway

A Systematic Review on the Efficacy and Safety of Alginate-based Liquid Formulations in Reducing Gastroesophageal Reflux in Neonates and Infants

Background

Neonates and infants experience gastroesophageal reflux as manifested through vomiting, reflux, and coughing. The complaint from many caregivers begins around the 2nd or 3rd month of life and subside around the 6th month of infancy. The standard of care has not been established and treatment options are limited owing to the pharmacological interventions that are deemed safe and effective. Alginate-based formulations, a widely used product in adults such as Gaviscon™, have been explored as another option to treat gastroesophageal reflux.

Objectives

To determine the safety and efficacy of alginate-based formulations in reducing symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux in neonates and infants.

Methods

An electronic search was conducted for randomized control trials in MEDLINE via PubMed, Herdin Plus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, SCOPUS, and Clinical Trials Registry. The search terms were "gastroesophageal reflux," "acid reflux," "neonates," "newborn," "infants," "baby," "babies,", and "alginate." Two review authors independently assessed the available full text articles and a third author intervened to settle the discussion.

Results

Two studies were identified and included in this study. Due to the difference in the period of measurement of the trials, a meta-analysis was not pursued. However, a systematic review was still conducted. The two studies suggest a significant improvement of symptoms with alginate-based liquid formulations as intervention. No significant adverse events have been noted making this treatment option generally safe for use in infants.

Conclusion

There is insufficient evidence to conclude that alginate-based formulations ultimately help decrease gastroesophageal reflux in neonates and infants, but initial trials show promising results. There is also insufficient data to conclude the safety profile of this treatment option given the small sample.

Implementation of Esophageal Screening in an Outpatient Hospital-Based Setting: A Quality Improvement Project

PURPOSE

Despite evidence supporting interconnectivity of oropharyngeal and esophageal swallowing, evaluation and treatment are dichotomized. When the videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) only considers oropharyngeal swallowing, the full scope of swallowing impairment may be missed. A lower rate of esophageal screening in an outpatient hospital setting may result from lack of speech-language pathologist (SLP) training and understanding of screening feasibility. This project was an internal quality improvement project (QIP) at Mayo Clinic in Arizona to (a) educate and train SLPs on conducting the Robust Esophageal Screening Test (REST) and (b) determine the feasibility of REST protocol implementation in a multidisciplinary swallow clinic.

METHOD

Fishbone analysis was used to identify potential causes of the gap in quality. Six Sigma methodology was used to outline the QIP. SLPs were trained in the REST protocol. To ensure adequate training, reliability ratings were assessed with the Cohen's kappa statistic. Esophageal screening via REST was implemented as an adjunct to the standard protocol during VFSS over a 3-month period for referred patients with dysphagia. Clinical findings were recorded.

RESULTS

All clinical rater SLPs reached the threshold of κ = .8 to ensure adequate rater reliability. Among 136 outpatients who underwent esophageal screening via REST, 100 patients completed the full REST screening and 36 completed a partial REST screening. Of the 100 full screenings, 80 patients had a failed screening, which indicated a potential esophageal swallowing impairment. Findings were discussed by members of the multidisciplinary dysphagia care team.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this QIP show that focusing on assessment of dysfunction and interplay across the swallowing continuum can substantially improve patient care by expediting and specifying next steps of the multidisciplinary dysphagia care team.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in a One-Week-Old Infant Presenting With Cyanosis and Respiratory Distress

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a common occurrence in infancy and early childhood. While GER is considered physiologic, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can result when extensive GER leads to troublesome symptoms such as choking, gagging, vomiting, refusal to feed, and poor weight gain. In extreme cases, GERD can cause severe respiratory complications such as apnea and aspiration pneumonia. We present the case of a one-week-old Amish female who had no prenatal care and presented with severe hypoxemia, tachypnea, and costal retractions. Further history from the family revealed persistent irregular breathing, sweating during feeds, and episodic perioral cyanosis. The patient required stabilization in the intensive care unit and received an extensive workup to rule out sepsis, cyanotic heart disease, other infectious etiologies, and other common causes of respiratory distress. The patient underwent a modified barium swallow study and was diagnosed with aspiration pneumonitis resulting from GERD and oropharyngeal dysphagia. Infantile cyanosis and respiratory distress can be manifestations of a variety of underlying illnesses. Once common causes of cyanosis have been excluded, GERD or disordered feeding should be considered as a potential etiology.

Apnea in preterm neonates: what's the role of gastroesophageal reflux? A systematic review

A causal relationship between gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) and apnea in preterm infants has been frequently hypothesized and is currently debated. The present study aims at reviewing the currently available scientific evidence, in order to clarify the role of GER on the occurrence of apnea and to help improving the clinical management of apneic preterm neonates. We performed a systematic literature search to identify all the clinical studies on preterm neonates that properly assessed the relationship between apnea and GER. Two-hundred and fifty-two papers, including 32 reviews and meta-analysis, were screened. Out of them, only 7 were included in the final analysis according to the selected criteria. Among them, 3 studies reported an increased frequency of apnea after reflux compared to reflux-free period and 4 denied a significant temporal relation. In conclusion, a minority of apneic events occurs soon after GER episodes. Whether this happens by chance or because of a causal relationship is still impossible to define. Based on the available data, empirical treatment with acid inhibitors is not recommended in neonates with apnea unless a proven temporal relation is shown by simultaneous esophageal pH-impedance and polysomnography or cardiorespiratory monitoring and in the absence of a clear clinical benefit.

Cardiorespiratory events in infants with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms: Is there any association?

BACKGROUND

Cardiorespiratory (CR) events (apnea, bradycardia, oxygen desaturation) and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) symptoms often coexist in infants admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, leading to over-prescription of drugs and delayed discharge. We aimed to evaluate the relationships between CR and GER events.

METHODS

The temporal associations between CR and GER events were analyzed in symptomatic infants who underwent synchronized CR and pH-impedance monitoring. The symptom association probability (SAP) index was used to identify infants with a significant number of temporal associations. Gastroesophageal reflux characteristics and the chronological sequence of CR and GER events occurring within 30 seconds of each other were evaluated according to SAP index.

KEY RESULTS

Of the 66 infants enrolled, aged 29 (18-45) days, 58 had CR events during monitoring. From these 58 patients, a total of 1331 CR events and 5239 GER (24% acidic) were detected. The SAP index was positive in seven (12%) infants. These infants had greater GER frequency, duration, and proximal extent (P < .05). The number of temporal associations was 10 times greater in the positive SAP group. Gastroesophageal reflux events preceded CR events in 83% of these associations. These GER events had a higher proximal extent (P = .004), but showed no differences in pH values.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

The simultaneous evaluation of CR and GER events could be useful to identify infants with severe GER and significant temporal associations between these events. Treatment of GER could be indicated in these infants, but as the GER events involved are mainly non-acidic, empirical treatment with antacids is, often, inappropriate.

Gastro-Esophageal Reflux in Children

Gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) is common in infants and children and has a varied clinical presentation: from infants with innocent regurgitation to infants and children with severe esophageal and extra-esophageal complications that define pathological gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). Although the pathophysiology is similar to that of adults, symptoms of GERD in infants and children are often distinct from classic ones such as heartburn. The passage of gastric contents into the esophagus is a normal phenomenon occurring many times a day both in adults and children, but, in infants, several factors contribute to exacerbate this phenomenon, including a liquid milk-based diet, recumbent position and both structural and functional immaturity of the gastro-esophageal junction. This article focuses on the presentation, diagnosis and treatment of GERD that occurs in infants and children, based on available and current guidelines.

Reflex cardiorespiratory events from esophageal origin are heightened by preterm birth

The involvement of gastroesophageal refluxes in cardiorespiratory events of preterm infants remains controversial. While a few studies in full-term newborn animals have shown that stimulation of esophageal receptors leads to cardiorespiratory reflexes, the latter remain largely unknown, especially after premature birth. The present study aimed to 1) characterize the cardiorespiratory reflexes originating from esophageal receptors in newborn lambs and 2) test the hypotheses that preterm birth enhances reflex cardiorespiratory inhibition and that C-fibers are involved in these reflexes. Eight full-term lambs and 10 lambs born 14 days prematurely were studied. Following surgical instrumentation, a 6-h polysomnography was performed without sedation to record electrocardiogram, respiratory movements, arterial pressure, laryngeal constrictor muscle activity, state of alertness, and hemoglobin oxygen saturation. Five esophageal stimulations of the upper and/or lower esophagus, including rapid balloon inflation and/or HCl injection, were performed in random order. A second recording was performed in full-term lambs 24 h later, after C-fiber blockade by capsaicin. Results confirmed that esophageal stimulations induced inhibitory cardiorespiratory reflexes combined with protective mechanisms, including laryngeal closure, swallowing, coughing, increased arterial pressure, and arousal. Preterm birth heightened cardiorespiratory inhibition. The strongest cardiorespiratory inhibition was observed following simultaneous stimulation of the lower and upper esophagus. Finally, cardiorespiratory inhibition was decreased after C-fiber blockade. In conclusion, esophageal stimulation induces inhibitory cardiorespiratory reflexes, which are partly mediated by C-fibers and more pronounced in preterm lambs. Clinical relevance of these findings requires further studies, especially in conditions associated with increased cardiorespiratory events, e.g., neonatal infection.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Preterm birth heightens the cardiorespiratory events triggered by esophageal stimulation. The most extensive cardiorespiratory events are induced by simultaneous stimulation of the proximal and distal esophagus.

Role of non-acid gastro-esophageal reflux in children with respiratory symptoms

OBJECTIVES

Respiratory symptoms are a possible atypical clinical picture of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, a significant number of patients with GERD-related respiratory symptoms do not report improvement despite aggressive acid-suppressive therapy. Some of these refractory cases may be due to the recently appreciated entity of non-acid or weakly acidic reflux. The aim of our study is to assess the pH-impedance features of GER inducing airway symptoms, compared with GER inducing typical gastro-intestinal (GI) symptoms.

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled infants and children with GERD-related respiratory symptoms from January 2015 to December 2015. Age- and sex-matched patients with GERD-related GI symptoms were enrolled as comparison group. The overall number, the acidity pattern, and the height of reflux episodes were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Forty patients (M/F: 20/20; mean age: 58.3 months) were enrolled in the study group and 40 in the comparison group. The mean acid exposure index was 7.9% within the study group and 15.9% within the comparison group (p:0.026). Children with respiratory symptoms versus children with GI symptoms had a mean of 40.8 acid reflux episodes versus 62.4 (p:0.001), a mean of 2.2 weakly acid reflux episodes versus 20.1 (p:0.002), and a mean of 22.1 weakly alkaline reflux episodes versus 10.2 (P < 0.001). Separate analysis of both infants and children was performed.

CONCLUSIONS

The main finding of this prospective, controlled study is that children >1 year with GERD-related respiratory symptoms showed a significantly higher number of weakly alkaline refluxes than children with GERD-related GI symptoms. This supports the hypothesis that respiratory symptoms are less related to acidity than GI symptoms. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:669-674. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Feeding Methods at Discharge Predict Long-Term Feeding and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Preterm Infants Referred for Gastrostomy Evaluation

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that oral feeding at first neonatal intensive care unit discharge is associated with less neurodevelopmental impairment and better feeding milestones compared with discharge with a gastrostomy tube (G-tube).

STUDY DESIGN

We studied outcomes for a retrospective cohort of 194 neonates <37 weeks' gestation referred for evaluation and management of feeding difficulties between July 2006 and July 2012. Discharge milestones, length of hospitalization, and Bayley Scales of Infant Development-Third Edition scores at 18-24 months were examined. χ², Mann-Whitney U, or t tests and multivariable logistic regression models were used.

RESULTS

A total of 60% (n = 117) of infants were discharged on oral feedings; of these, 96% remained oral-fed at 1 year. The remaining 40% (n = 77) were discharged on G-tube feedings; of these, 31 (40%) remained G-tube dependent, 17 (22%) became oral-fed, and 29 (38%) were on oral and G-tube feedings at 1 year. Infants discharged on a G-tube had lower cognitive (P <.01), communication (P = .03), and motor (P <.01) composite scores. The presence of a G-tube, younger gestation, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or intraventricular hemorrhage was associated significantly with neurodevelopmental delay.

CONCLUSIONS

For infants referred for feeding concerns, G-tube evaluations, and feeding management, the majority did not require a G-tube. Full oral feeding at first neonatal intensive care unit discharge was associated with superior feeding milestones and less long-term neurodevelopmental impairment, relative to full or partial G-tube feeding. Evaluation and feeding management before and after G-tube placement may improve long-term feeding and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

The Role of Sleep in the Modulation of Gastroesophageal Reflux and Symptoms in NICU Neonates

BACKGROUND

Newborns sleep about 80% of the time. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is prevalent in about 10% of neonatal intensive care unit infants. Concurrent polysomnography and pH-impedance studies clarify the relationship of gastroesophageal reflux with sleep.

AIMS

To characterize spatiotemporal and chemical characteristics of impedance-positive gastroesophageal reflux and define symptom associations in sleep and wake states in symptomatic neonates. We hypothesized that frequency of impedance-positive gastroesophageal reflux events and their association with cardiorespiratory symptoms is greater during sleep.

METHODS

Eighteen neonates underwent concurrent polysomnography with a pH-impedance study. Impedance-positive gastroesophageal reflux events (weakly acidic or acidic) were categorized between sleep versus wake states: Symptom Index = number of symptoms with gastroesophageal reflux/total symptoms*100; Symptom Sensitivity Index = number of gastroesophageal reflux with symptoms/total gastroesophageal reflux*100; Symptom Association Probability = [(1 - probability of observed association between reflux and symptoms)*100]).

RESULTS

We analyzed 317 gastroesophageal reflux events during 116 hours of polysomnography. During wake versus sleep, respectively, the median (interquartile range) frequency of impedance-positive gastroesophageal reflux was 4.9 (3.1-5.8) versus 1.4 (0.7-1.7) events/hour (P < 0.001) and the proximal migration was 2.6 (0.8-3.3) versus 0.2 (0.0-0.9) events/hour (P < 0.001). The Symptom Index for cardiorespiratory symptoms for impedance-positive events was 22.5 (0-55.3) versus 6.1 (0-13), P = 0.04, whereas the Symptom Sensitivity Index was 9.1 (0-23.1) versus 18.4 (0-50), P = 0.04, although Symptom Association Probability was similar (P = 0.68).

CONCLUSIONS

Contrary to our hypothesis, frequency of gastroesophageal reflux in sleep is lower; however, spatiotemporal and chemical characteristics of gastroesophageal reflux and symptom-generation mechanisms are distinct. For cardiorespiratory symptoms during sleep, a lower Symptom Index entails evaluation for etiologies other than gastroesophageal reflux disease, a higher Symptom Sensitivity Index implies heightened esophageal sensitivity, and similar Symptom Association Probability indicates other mechanistic possibilities.

Development of Suck and Swallow Mechanisms in Infants

Preterm infants' hospital discharge is often delayed due to their inability to feed by mouth safely and competently. No evidence-based supported guidelines are currently available for health-care professionals caring for these infants. Available interventions advocating benefits are not readily acknowledged for lack of rigorous documentation inasmuch as any improvements may ensue from infants' normal maturation. Through research, a growing understanding of the development of nutritive sucking skills has emerged, shedding light on how and why infants may encounter oral feeding difficulties due to the immaturity of specific physiologic functions. Unfortunately, this knowledge has yet to be translated to the clinical practice to improve the diagnoses of oral feeding problems through the development of relevant assessment tools and to enhance infants' oral feeding skills through the development of efficacious preventive and therapeutic interventions. This review focuses on the maturation of the various physiologic functions implicated in the transport of a bolus from the oral cavity to the stomach. Although infants' readiness for oral feeding is deemed attained when suck, swallow, and respiration are coordinated, we do not have a clear definition of what coordination implies. We have learned that each of these functions encompasses a number of elements that mature at different times and rates. Consequently, it would appear that the proper functioning of sucking, the swallow processing, and respiration need to occur at two levels: first, the elements within each function must reach an appropriate functional maturation that can work in synchrony with each other to generate an appropriate suck, swallow process, and respiration; and second, the elements of all these distinct functions, in turn, must be able to do the same at an integrative level to ensure the safe and efficient transport of a bolus from the mouth to the stomach.

A thickened formula does not reduce apneas related to gastroesophageal reflux in preterm infants

BACKGROUND

Apnea of prematurity (AOP) occurs frequently in preterm infants and a variable proportion of AOP can be induced by gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Conservative treatment, including dietary modifications, should be the first-line approach for both GER and GER-related apneas in this population.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy of a starch-thickened preterm formula (PF) in reducing the frequency of apneas related to GER.

METHODS

Preterm infants with AOP were studied by combined impedance and pH monitoring and polysomnography. The 6-hour study period included two feeds, one of a commercially available PF and one of the same formula thickened with amylopectin (TPF). GER indexes, apneas and GER-related apneas detected after TPF and PF feeds were compared by Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

RESULTS

24 infants were studied. During 140 h of registration, 289 apneas (147 after TPF and 142 after PF; p = 0.876), and 861 GER episodes (400 after TPF and 461 after PF; p = 0.465) were recorded. No difference in the number of AOP was found between TPF and PF. A significant reduction in acid exposure was found after TPF; there was no influence on non-acid GER indexes. The frequency of GER-related apneas did not differ between TPF and PF.

CONCLUSIONS

A formula thickened with amylopectin did not reduce the number of AOP or GER-related apneas. It reduced acid GER features but had no effect on non-acid GER indexes. Future research should focus on exploring different conservative strategies to treat GER-related apneas in preterm infants.

Impedance-pH monitoring and conventional pH monitoring are complementary methods to detect association between gastroesophageal reflux and apnea-related symptoms in preterm infants and neonates

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the usefulness of Multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (MII-pH) monitoring as compared with conventional pH monitoring for detecting Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) episodes and apnea-related symptom association in preterm infants and neonates.

METHODS

Twenty-three infants (16 preterm and 7 term infants) in hospital, who underwent 24-h MII-pH monitoring, were studied retrospectively. GER indices and apnea-related symptom association were measured by both MII-pH and conventional pH based analysis.

RESULTS

Of the total 998 GER episodes assessed by MII-pH monitoring, 407 (40.8%) were acidic and 590 (59.1%) were weakly acidic. A total of 1689 GER episodes were detected by conventional pH based analysis and 270 (16%) were related to retrograde bolus movement. A total of 313 apnea-related symptoms were reported. Five patients had a positive symptom association: 3 by MII-pH, 1 by both MII-pH and conventional pH, 1 only by conventional pH.

CONCLUSIONS

Addition of MII-pH monitoring to conventional pH monitoring improves the diagnostic yield of symptom association analysis in preterm infants and neonates with apnea-related symptoms. Conventional pH monitoring is still important in the era of impedance measurement.

Sodium Alginate (Gaviscon®) does not reduce apnoeas related to gastro-oesophageal reflux in preterm infants

BACKGROUND

Apnoea of prematurity (AOP) frequently recurs in preterm infants. We have previously shown that a significant but variable proportion of AOP is induced by gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR).

AIM

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of sodium alginate in reducing the frequency of GOR-related AOP.

SUBJECTS

Twenty-eight preterm infants with AOP were studied by a six-hour recording of combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH monitoring and polysomnography, including two three-hour postprandial periods: sodium alginate was given after one single meal named as drug-given (DG) meal, while the other as drug-free (DF).

RESULTS

During 165h of registration, 715 apnoeas were recorded, 368 after-DG and 347 after-DF (p=.99); furthermore, 851 GOR episodes were detected, 315 after-DG and 536 after-DF (p=.001). No differences in the number of AOP were found between DG and DF. A significant reduction in the number of acid GORs and in acid exposure was found during DG, while the administration of sodium alginate didn't influence non-acid GOR indexes. The frequency of GOR-related apnoeas didn't differ between DG and DF.

DISCUSSION

Sodium alginate doesn't reduce the total number of AOP nor GOR-related apnoeas. On the other hand, it reduces acid GOR features, while it had no effect on non-acid GOR indexes.

The frequency of apneas in very preterm infants is increased after non-acid gastro-esophageal reflux

BACKGROUND

To evaluate whether physical and/or chemical features of gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) influence its relationship with apnea of prematurity (AOP).

METHODS

Fifty-eight preterm newborns (GA ≤ 33 weeks) with recurrent apneas were studied by simultaneous polysomnography and combined impedance and pH monitoring, to analyze whether the correlation between GER and AOP varies according to the acidity, duration and height of GERs.

KEY RESULTS

The frequency of apnea (number apnea/min) occurring after-GER [median (range) 0.07 (0-0.25)] was higher than the one detected in GER-free period [0.06 (0.04-0.13), P = 0.015], and also than the one detected before-GER [0 (0-0.8), P = 0.000]. The frequency of apneas detected in the 30'' after pH-GER [median (range), 0 min(-1) (0-1.09)] was higher than the frequency detected in the 30'' before [0 (0-0.91), P = 0.04]; even more, the frequency of apneas detected after non-acid MII-GER episodes [0 (0-2)] was significantly higher than the one detected before [0 (0-1), P = 0.000], whereas the frequency of apneas detected before acid MII-GER episodes [0 (0-0.67)] did not differ from the one detected after [0 (0-2), P = 0.137]. The frequency of pathological apneas detected in the 30'' after-GER (0 min(-1), range 0-0.55) was higher than the frequency detected before (0, range 0-0.09; P = 0.001). No difference in mean height or in mean duration was found between GERs correlated and those non-correlated to apnea.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Non-acid GER is responsible for a variable amount of AOP detected after-GER: this novel finding must be taken into consideration when a therapeutic strategy for this common problem is planned.