A multi-parametric system for gastroesophageal reflux disease diagnosis in newborn patients

Abstract

Gastroesophageal reflux may become pathologic when it produces symptoms resulting in complications. Apnea, cough, aspirative pneumonias, bradycardia, etc, are common associated cardiorespiratory complications. It is frequent in premature babies and may occur in healthy newborn, and its complications may require hospitalization and intensive care. Gastroesophageal impedance-pH monitoring is a usual method to diagnose what is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease. Multi-parametric studies include 24-hour impedance-pH recording and were complemented with cardiorespiratory monitoring in this study. It would ideally allow an early diagnosis reducing reflux-related morbimortality and shortening hospital stays, what would also lower hospital expenses and unnecessary treatments. Symptom association analysis was applied to determine the degree of temporal association between cardiorespiratory episodes and gastroesophageal reflux. Temporal lags between both events were computed and compared with the size of the window of association resulting the window larger than the lag. © 2013 Springer-Verlag.