Background: Gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) is common in chronic bronchopulmonary diseases, and may aggravate them. The aim of this study was to study frequency and characteristics of GER in infants and toddlers with cystic fibrosis (CF).
Population and methods: Twenty-five CF patients, 45 to 954 days-old (mean 219 days) without clinical evidence of bronchopulmonary infection, were studied by prolonged pHmetry (19.45 +/- 1.89 hours). Their pulmonary state was evaluated by the number of previous courses of antibiotic treatment and analysis of the X-rays.
Results: Nineteen children had GER (76%); four of them had no clinical sign of GER. All 19 patients had mild or moderate signs of pulmonary impairment. The reflux index (percentage of time with pH < 4) was 12.82%. The GER episodes were more frequent during walking time (p < 0.001), but longer during sleeping time (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: GER is frequent in CF patients, even the youngest. It seems primary, and not related to pulmonary impairment. Its frequency and its potential severity lead to suggesting a pHmetry to every new CF patient.