Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Infants, Children and Adolescents

소아청소년의 위식도역류

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) defined as passage of gastric contents into the esophagus without symptoms is a common physiologic gastrointestinal problem in infants, children and even in adults. But gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) defined as symptoms or complications of GER is a disease entity to find out the reason and treat. After the era of 1970 we have been studying about GERD with the development of diagnostic and therapeutic methods. I already introduced the nature and the fundamental knowledge of GERD in the opening symposium of KSPGHAN in 1998. Now, I will introduce the guidelines for evaluation and treatment of GERD which was recommended by the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition and American Pediatric Association which was published in 2001. And I will introduce progressing subjects and the forecoming issues to be solved in near future. Those are as followings. Does GERD cause otolaryngologic symptoms such as chronic sinusitis and chronic otitis? Is GERD inherited? Can we find out the child who will become GERD in adult life and the way to reduce the incidence of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer? Is long term PPI therapy safe in children?