scholarly journals Benign Focal Epilepsy of Childhood and Gastroesophagael Reflux

1994 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-48
Author(s):  
Anne G Sheehan ◽  
Sherry Pelensky ◽  
Colin Van Orman ◽  
Steven R Martin
Keyword(s):  
Gastroesophageal Reflux ◽  
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome ◽  
Infant Death ◽  
Chronic Cough ◽  
Focal Epilepsy ◽  
Sudden Infant Death ◽  
Acute Onset ◽  
Sudden Infant ◽  
Recurrent Pneumonia ◽  
Essentially Normal

Gastroesophageal reflux has been associated with, and implicated in, a number of conditions, including respiratory disease (recurrent pneumonia, chronic cough, asthma), sudden infant death syndrome, dysphagia and central nervous disorders. An eight-year-old girl presented with an acute history that suggested gastroesophageal reflux. An esophageal motility study was abnormal and 24 h pH study demonstrated gastroesophageal reflux. Before the manometric study, a seizure was observed and subsequent neurological evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of benign focal epilepsy of childhood, which was treated with carbamazepine. The symptoms resolved after eight weeks and the repeat reflux investigations were essentially normal. Oropharyngeal symptoms are common in benign focal epilepsy of childhood, a condition which is very responsive to therapy. Symptoms suggestive of this diagnosis - acute onset, with unusual oropharyngeal sensations, or seizures-occurring mainly at night may initially be confused with gastroesophageal reflux. Benign focal epilepsy of childhood should be considered in reflux presenting outside infancy.

Influence of Xanthines on Gastroesophageal Reflux in Infants at Risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 77 (6) ◽  
pp. 807-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvan Vandenplas ◽  
D. De Wolf ◽  
L. Sacre
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Gastroesophageal Reflux ◽  
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome ◽  
Infant Death ◽  
Ph Monitoring ◽  
Sudden Infant Death ◽  
Lower Esophageal Sphincter Pressure ◽  
Sudden Infant ◽  
Sphincter Pressure ◽  
Normal Ranges

Theophylline and caffeine are two drugs frequently administered to infants at risk for sudden infant death syndrome, because of their stimulatory effects on the respiratory system. These drugs are known to increase gastric acid secretion and to decrease lower esophageal sphincter pressure that, in turn, possibly increases gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Thirty babies were tested for GER before and during caffeine treatment. Eighteen were studied under the same conditions while undergoing theophylline treatment. All results of pH monitoring before treatment were within normal ranges. Episodes of GER increased significantly (P < .001) in about 50% of the group treated with caffeine and in 66% of the group treated with theophylline. These results were independent of plasma xanthine concentrations (within or below therapeutic ranges) and of the efficacy of the drug. In addition, an increase was noted for the number of episodes of GER in 24 hours (from 5.3 to 17.1 in the caffeine group and from 5.3 to 24.3 in the theophylline group) and for the time pH was < 4 (from 0.87% to 6% in the caffeine group and up to 13% in the theophylline group). Because GER is another known risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome, the administration xanthine derivatives in babies at risk for sudden infant death syndrome should be carefully considered in each case.

Cardiac effects of esophageal stimulation: Possible relationship between gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

1983 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 542-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Kenigsberg ◽  
Peter G. Griswold ◽  
Barbara J. Buckley ◽  
Norman Gootman ◽  
Phyllis M. Gootman
Keyword(s):  
Gastroesophageal Reflux ◽  
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome ◽  
Infant Death ◽  
Sudden Infant Death ◽  
Sudden Infant ◽  
Cardiac Effects

Respiratory Disease Associated With Gastroesophageal Reflux

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1979 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 344-345
Author(s):  
Dennis L. Christie
Keyword(s):  
Gastroesophageal Reflux ◽  
Respiratory Disease ◽  
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome ◽  
Infant Death ◽  
Surgical Procedure ◽  
Sudden Infant Death ◽  
Infants And Children ◽  
Sudden Infant ◽  
Esophageal Function ◽  
Gastric Contents

Several recent reports have emphasized the association between gastroesophageal reflux with tracheobronchial aspiration and recurrent episodes of bronchitis, asthma, pneumonitis, bronchiolitis, apnea, and even aborted sudden infant death syndrome.1-4 The majority of these papers have stressed the fact that infants and children with recurrent pulmonary symptoms, such as wheezing, tachypnea, fever, cough, and chest roentgenographic evidence of pneumonitis or pneumonia, may be aspirating gastric contents into the lungs during periods of recumbency or after feeding. There has been enthusiasm for an antireflux surgical procedure to stop these suspected repeated episodes of aspiration.5 Investigators have relied on an indirect diagnosis of aspiration by demonstrating abnormalities in esophageal function associated with recurrent respiratory disease.

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