| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3916514 | Early Human Development | 2014 | 5 Pages |
•It's the first study that analyzes prognostic role of MII/pH in preterm infants.•Only weakly acidic reflux events influence the duration of therapy in preterm infants.•The variable that is utilized until now (Reflux Index) does not predict disease's trend.•MII-BEI and MII-reflux frequency seem to have a prognostic value.•To utilize new indexes could help clinicians to avoid a prolonged treatment.
BackgroundLittle is known regarding the prognostic role of Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance and pH monitoring (MII/pH) parameters in preterm infants with Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).AimOur study aimed to evaluate the relationship between MII/pH variables and the duration of pharmacological therapy for GERD, in preterm infants with gestational age (GA) ≤ 34 weeks.Subjects, study design, outcome measuresWe retrospectively reviewed data of all newborns with GA ≤ 34 weeks that underwent MII/pH in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and pharmacological treatment for GERD. We included them in a 12-month follow-up program. MII/pH parameters were used as independent variables and the duration of pharmacological therapy as dependent variable in linear regression models.Results16 patients (GA 28.4 ± 1.8 weeks, BW 1122 ± 427 g) were enrolled into the study. Regression analysis performed on all reflux events reported a significant correlation between the duration of pharmacological treatment and MII-BEI (r2 = 0.36, p = 0.01) and MII-reflux frequency (r2 = 0.33, p = 0.02). Moreover, regression analysis performed on all events classified according to the corresponding pH change – acidic (ac.), weakly acidic (w.ac.) or weakly alkaline (w.a.) – showed a significant correlation between the duration of pharmacological treatment and MII-w.ac.BEI (r2 = 0.26, p = 0.05), MII-w.ac. reflux frequency (r2 = 0.44, p = 0.01), and MII-proximal w.ac. reflux frequency (r2 = 0.35, p = 0.02). No statistically significant correlation was found between pH-Reflux Index and the duration of treatment.ConclusionThe study shows how, in our population of preterm infants, MII-parameters could have not only a diagnostic role, but also a prognostic value in terms of the duration of pharmacological treatment.
