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Query: UMLS:C0017168 (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
 11,783 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

In a 6.5 year period starting January 1982, 121 patients (74 male, 47 female; 1.6:1) with complicated gastroesophageal reflux referred to Alberta Children's Hospital, University of Calgary, required a Nissen fundoplication at a mean age of 35.5 months (range 3 weeks to 18 years). The median age of onset of symptoms was less than 1 month. Symptoms and indications for surgery included regurgitation (88%), failure to thrive (52%), reflux-associated pulmonary symptoms and aspiration (48%), biopsy evidence of esophagitis (35%) with heartburn (17%), dysphagia (18%), hematemesis (17%), anemia (13%), and hypoproteinemia (22%). Sixty-four percent of the patients had a syndrome or chromosomal abnormality, respiratory disease, or neuromuscular disorder. The barium contrast upper-gastrointestinal radiographic series, performed in all patients, identified structural [gastric outlet obstruction (2%), esophageal stricture (11%), erosive esophagitis (9%)], and functional abnormalities [gastroesophageal reflux (90%), barium aspiration (8%), esophageal hypoperistalsis (30%), delayed gastric emptying (4%)]. Barium contrast upper gastrointestinal radiographic series identified gastroesophageal reflux with a sensitivity of 90% (compared to history), was 50% sensitive and 92% specific for erosive esophagitis (compared to biopsy), was 59% sensitive and 74% specific for esophageal dysmotility (compared to esophageal manometry), and there was a significant (p less than 0.01) association between barium aspiration and prior evidence of aspiration pneumonitis. Esophageal manometry demonstrated a significantly (p less than 0.001) lower esophageal sphincter pressure in patients compared with controls, but no significant correlation with failure to thrive, aspiration pneumonia, biopsy evidence of esophagitis, or parameters of the 24-hour esophageal pH study. Twenty-four hour pH monitoring showed significantly (p less than 0.05) more reflux episodes than in asymptomatic controls and there was significant (p less than 0.05) correlation between the percentage of time pH was less than 4 and the presence of hypoalbuminemia, and biopsy-proven erosive esophagitis or Barrett's esophagus. Endoscopic appearance was 91% sensitive and 60% specific for esophagitis when compared to biopsy. Nissen fundoplication was completely effective at resolving gastroesophageal reflux in 83%, and associated with marked improvement in 15%. No patient died as a result of fundoplication. Major complications included: recurrence of symptoms requiring reoperation (2%), subsequent mechanical bowel obstruction (8%), wound infection or pneumonia (12%).
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PMID:Investigation and outcome of 121 infants and children requiring Nissen fundoplication for the management of gastroesophageal reflux. 227 17

Achalasia is an idiopathic neuromuscular disorder of the esophagus which is associated with absence of esophageal peristalsis and incomplete relaxation of a normal or raised lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Dysphagia is the most commonly associated symptom. Conventional therapeutic approaches are directed to reducing LES pressure and include orally-administered smooth muscle relaxants, forceful sphincter dilation with balloon dilators, and open or laparoscopic-assisted myotomy of the LES. Pharmacologic therapies have a low success rate. Forceful dilation has a perforation complication rate of 2% to 5%, and myotomies may precipitate significant gastroesophageal reflux, a complication minimized when a partial fundal wrap is employed simultaneously. In recent years, botulinum toxin, utilized widely as a striated muscle relaxant in managing blepharospasm, anal sphincter spasm, and muscle spasm complicating CVAs, and in smoothening facial wrinkles, has been extended to the management of achalasia on the basis that it impairs smooth muscle responsiveness to acetylcholine. Eighty units of Botox (botulinum toxin) are injected directly into the endoscopically (endoscopic ultrasound techniques may facilitate localization) located LES region (20 units into each of 4 quadrants). Symptom relief lasting 6 months on average is experienced in more than 65% of treated patients, and the complication rate is negligible. This therapeutic option is reserved for patients too ill to undergo any surgical procedure and is most effective when the lower esophageal region is hypertonic.
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PMID:Treatment of achalasia with botulinum A toxin. 1189 30

Children with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) may experience a spectrum of nutritional issues with adverse health consequences. This review summarizes the current understanding of nutritional care in pediatric NMDs, recognizing disease-specific aspects of nutrition alongside the challenges and needs in dietetic care. General or disease-related nutritional issues for children with NMDs include being underweight, overweight, or obese and having swallowing difficulty, gastroesophageal reflux, diarrhea, and/or constipation. Specific challenges in NMD nutritional assessment include alterations in body composition and energy requirements and difficulties in measuring anthropometry. Multidisciplinary dietetic intervention focuses on optimizing nutrient intakes to avert growth failure or obesity and managing feeding difficulties and gastrointestinal problems. Care guidelines are disease specific and vary in approach and detail. To promote best clinical practice across diverse settings, a standardized approach to assessing growth and nutrition across all pediatric NMDs is needed to direct optimal care centered on individual requirements. Future studies should focus on determining the prevalence of specific nutritional issues and the effectiveness of specific interventions among various pediatric NMD populations.
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PMID:Nutritional practices in pediatric patients with neuromuscular disorders. 3196 3