Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux and Adverse Respiratory Events in Children under Anaesthesia

The incidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux in children undergoing general anaesthesia has not previously been studied. One-hundred-and-twenty children (ASA Class 1–2) were studied intraoperatively using continuous oesophageal pH monitoring. The incidence of reflux was 2.5% (3 of 120). None of these three patients had an adverse respiratory event. There was no correlation between reflux and adverse respiratory events. Thirteen patients had minor respiratory events without evidence of acid reflux. Gastro-oesophageal reflux does occur in healthy paediatric patients having minor surgery, but was not a significant cause of the adverse respiratory events that occurred in our study.