Pediatrics in Review Note to Institutions for Site Subscriptions
HOME HELP CONTACT US SUBSCRIPTIONS CME ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Rapid Responses: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when Rapid Responses are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Orenstein, S. R.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Orenstein, S. R.

Gastroesophageal Reflux

Susan R. Orenstein MD1
 1 Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 3705 Fifth Avenue at DeSoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213; 412-692-5180

Gastroesophageal reflux is an important problem in children for several reasons. It occurs frequently; sometimes features perplexing and misleading symptoms; causes significant morbidity; and defies rapid, simple, and curative therapy. Thus, it is an important disorder for pediatricians to understand.

Definitions

Gastroesophageal reflux is the return of gastric contents into the esophagus. Confusion sometimes has resulted from failure to distinguish between gastroesophageal reflux as a single event and as a condition, as well as from failure to distinguish between a physiologic and a pathologic condition. A gastroesophageal reflux episode is a single instance of return of gastric contents into the esophagus. Confusion between this single event and the pathologic condition of gastroesophageal reflux disease has been perpetuated by the habit of diagnosing "gastroesophageal reflux" (meaning gastroesophageal reflux disease) on the basis of a single episode of reflux seen on a barium fluoroscopic study or during scintigraphic evaluation. It is important to understand that virtually all people reflux occasionally. The distinction between this physiologic gastroesophageal reflux and pathogenic gastroesophageal reflux (ie, gastroesophageal reflux disease) can be made either by demonstrating an abnormal quantity of reflux (increased frequency or duration of episodes compared to asymptomatic individuals) or by demonstrating that detrimental effects (such as malnutrition, esophagitis, or respiratory disease) have resulted from reflux.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 CLIN PEDIATRHome page
S. Chawla, D. Seth, P. Mahajan, and D. Kamat
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder: A Review for Primary Care Providers
Clinical Pediatrics, January 1, 2006; 45(1): 7 - 13.
[PDF]

Home page
 Pediatr. Rev.Home page
K. F. Murray and D. L. Christie
Vomiting
Pediatr. Rev., October 1, 1998; 19(10): 337 - 341.
[Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP CONTACT US SUBSCRIPTIONS CME ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pediatrics Pediatrics in Review
Copyright © 1992 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.