• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.139-146
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• 1999

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of 24 hour pH monitoring in the pediatric patients with recurrent vomiting or regurgitation. Methods: We performed 24 hour pH monitoring on 87 pediatric patients with recurrent vomiting or regurgitation using GastrograpH with glass electrode. The pathologic GER was determined by the reflux index (RI). RIs>10% were considered positive in patients <1 year of age, whereas RIs of >5% were positive in other age groups. We evaluated the mean and standard deviation of the reflux parameters between physiologic and pathologic GER groups, and also compared the reflux indices of each group with respect to time zones of the day. Results: Pathologic GER was found in 32 of 87 patients (36.8%), and the age incidence included 32.5% in infants <6 months old, 13.3% in infants aged 6 months-1 year old, 61.5% in children aged 1~2 years old, 14.3% in children aged 2~3 years old and 66.7% in children >3 years old. In physiologic GER patients, the RI was $3.7{\pm}2.9%$ for the patients <1 year old (group A), and $1.8{\pm}1.5%$ for those ${\geq}1$ year old (group B) which was statistically significant between the 2 age groups (p=0.02). The number of long refluxes more than 5 minutes was significantly increased (p=0.03) in group A ($1.7{\pm}1.9$) than in group B ($0.8{\pm}1.0$). The duration of the longest reflux was significantly longer (p=0.007) in group A ($604{\pm}551$ sec) than in group B ($275{\pm}296$ sec). In pathologic GER patients, the RI was $17.7{\pm}11.6%$ for the patients <1 year old and $7.8{\pm}2.9$ for those ${\geq}1$ year old. The number of long refluxes of more than 5 minutes were $8.9{\pm}4.6$ and $3.2{\pm}1.8$, and the duration of the longest reflux were $1955{\pm}2190$ sec and $1093{\pm}706$ sec for each age group. In both physiologic and pathologic GER patients, there was no significant difference of RI among the time zones of the day. Conclusion: Pathologic GER was found in 36.8% of patients. There was significant difference of RI between those <1 year old and those ${\geq}1$ year old in physiologic GER patients. There was no significant difference of RI among the time zones of the day in both pathologic and physiologic groups. In our study, the frequency of pathplogic GER was too much higher in age group of 1~2 years old (61.5%) than in group of 6 months-1 year old (13.3%), which means that further study is needed to determine the pathologic criteria of RI (Vandenplas criteria is >5%) in the age group of 1~2 years old.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.183-186
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• 2003

Prolapse gastropathy is not uncommon in adult, but is not reported yet in previously healthy children. A 3-year-old child came to our emergency room after a 1-day history of emesis episodes with coffee-ground hematemesis. During the endoscopic procedure, and the process of retching and vomiting was observed and a tense knuckle of gastric mucosa was seen to be forcefully and repeated prolapsed into the distal esophageal mucosa, and mucosal hematoma was found in the gastric fundus. Upper gastrointestinal study revealed no abnormality and 24 hour pH monitoring revealed no pathologic gastroesophageal reflux. Retching is thought to cause the forceful prolapse and induce subsequent trauma of gastric mucosa. This case illustrates that the episodes of vigorous retching and resultant gastric mucosa are now considered to be the cause of the hematemesis and epigastric pain in children.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2000

Objectives: The sensitivity and accuracy of thermistor airflow signal has been debated. The purposes of this study were to compare apnea-hypopnea index(AHI) detected from a conventional thermistor signal and a nasal pressure transducer of airflow(NPT), to evaluate the value of NPT for the diagnosis of upper airway resistance syndrome(UARS), and to measure airway pressure fluctuations which produced respiratory arousals in UARS by naso-oro-esophageal manometer catheter. The subjects were 30 patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome [mild(540), 10), and 6 UARS patients. Airway resistance arousal in this study was defined as arousals which were not associated with apnea or hypopnea of thermistor signal, but showed significant decrease of nasal airflow pressure just before arousal and a prompt recovery of nasal airflow pressure after arousal. The airway pressure fluctuations were measured during 260 airway resistance arousals observed in 10 patients with OSAS, 2 with UARS. Results: Mean AHIs of patients with OSAS were 33.4 by thermistor and 48.4 by NPT. The AHIs of mild, moderate and severe OSAS groups were 10.2, 32.1, 65.4 respectively by thermistor and 23.1, 45.9, 76.4 by NPT. The mean AHI of patients with UARS was 3.2 by thermistor and 10.8 by NPT. The mean AHI of patients with nonspecific arousals was 2.7 by thermistor and 4.4 by NPT. The mean airway pressure changes during respiratory arousals of different groups were $8.7\;cmH_2O$ in mild OSAS, $11.4\;cmH_2O$ in moderate OSAS, $24.7\;cmH_2O$ in severe OSAS and $6.6\;cmH_2O$ in UARS. Conclusion: The nasal pressure transducer of airflow was more sensitive and accurate for assessing respiratory disturbances of patients with OSAS and was extremely helpful for the diagnosis of UARS without esophageal pressure monitoring. From the results, we would like to propose carefully the NPT diagnostic criteria for sleep disordered breathing as follows: NPT-AHI 5-15 $\rightarrow$ UARS, 15-35 $\rightarrow$ mild OSAS, 35-55 $\rightarrow$ moderate OSAS and >55 $\rightarrow$ severe OSAS.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.12-19
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the quality of sleep in snoring obese children without obstructive sleep apnea (OSA); and to study the possible relationship between sleep interruption and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in snoring obese children. Methods: Study subjects included 13 snoring obese children who were referred to our sleep lab for possible sleep-disordered breathing. Patients underwent multichannel intraluminal impedance and esophageal pH monitoring with simultaneous polysomnography. Exclusion criteria included history of fundoplication, cystic fibrosis, and infants under the age of 2 years. Significant association between arousals and awakenings with previous reflux were defined by symptom-association probability using 2-minute intervals. Results: Sleep efficiency ranged from 67-97% (median 81%). A total of 111 reflux episodes (90% acidic) were detected during sleep, but there were more episodes per hour during awake periods after sleep onset than during sleep (median 2.3 vs. 0.6, p=0.04). There were 279 total awakenings during the sleep study; 56 (20.1%) of them in 9 patients (69.2%) were preceded by reflux episodes (55 acid, 1 non-acid). In 5 patients (38.5%), awakenings were significantly associated with reflux. Conclusion: The data suggest that acid GER causes sleep interruptions in obese children who have symptoms of snoring or restless sleep and without evidence of OSA.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.489-497
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• 2002

Purpose : The objectives of this study were to investigate the causes of chronic cough and to establish the appropriate diagnostic approach to chronic cough in children. Methods : One hundred and thirty two cases of chronic cough were prospectively evaluated. They visitors to pediatric chronic cough clinics at Kang-nam saint Mary's Hospital of Catholic University from August 2000 to July 2001 for 12 months. Careful history taking by questionnaire, physical examination, radiologic studies of chest and sinus, hematologic and immunologic studies, allergic skin tests, and methacholine challenge tests were performed. Color doppler(CD) ultrasonography were performed and compared with simultaneous 24 Hr. esophageal pH monitoring to diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD). Results : Age distributions were demonstrated that nine in infants, 82 in early childhood, 38 in late childhood, and three in adolescence. Common causes of chronic cough were bronchial asthma in 40 cases, chronic sinusitis in 22 cases, GERD in seven cases, bronchial asthma combined with sinusitis in 28 cases, bronchial asthma combined with GERD in 14 cases, psychogenic cough in two. cases, foreign body in one case, chronic bronchitis in one case, and bronchiolitis in one case. Comparing with 24 Hr. pH monitoring, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive values of CD ultrasonography were 88%, 69%, 85 %, and 73% respectively. Conclusion : The most common causes of chronic cough in children were bronchial asthma, sinusitis and GERD in order. We suggest that CD ultrasonography can be used as a good, convenient screening method for patients with suspected GERD in outpatient settings.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.28-32
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• 2006

Objectives : Non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) can be divided into gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) related NCCP and non-GERD related NCCP. Our study was designed to examine the differences in clinical characteristics and psychological mood states between the two clinical syndromes. Methods : After some cardiologic evaluations such as treadmill exercise, coronary angiography, and echocardiography, 27 patients with NCCP were enrolled in this study. They were divided into patients with GERD related NCCP (12 patients) and those with non-GERD related NCCP (15 patients) using the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and the ambulatory 24 hour esophageal pH monitoring. Clinical characteristics such as typical reflux symptoms and psychological mood states were measured. Patients who showed scores more than 10 on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) or Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were defined as depressed or anxious group. Anxiety sensitivity Index (ASI) was also measured in all patients. All parameters were compared between patients with GERD related NCCP and those with non-GERD related NCCP. Results : The two groups showed a difference in typical reflux symptoms. Patients with non-GERD related NCCP had higher scores on the BDI, BAI and ASI than those with GERD related NCCP. Among all NCCP patients, 14 patients (51.9%) were suggested to have possible depression or anxiety disorders. Conclusion : The non-GERD related NCCP was shown to be associated with psychological mood states such as anxiety and depression. Thus, we suggest that routine measurement of psychological mood states should be necessary in the evaluation and treatment of NCCP.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.27-36
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• 2008

Fundoplication is a common surgical procedure for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Recently the procedure has been performed with increased frequency laparoscopically. The aim of this study is to review our 11 years experience with fundoplication in infants and children. From October 1994 to December 2005, 59 fundoplications in 55 patients were performed at Sungkyunkwan University Samsung Medical Center. Medical records and laboratory results of these children were retrospectively reviewed for sex, age, symptoms and signs, coexisting disease, diagnostic methods, treatment modalities and length of operative time. Open fundoplication was performed in 41 cases and laparoscopic fundoplication in 18 cases. Simultaneous gastrostomy was done in 27 cases. Recurrent GERD symptom occurred in four patients (7.2 %) within 2 years after first fundoplication and all 4 patients had re-do fundoplication. There were no intra- and immediate post-operative complications. Gastrointesitnal symptoms were the most common indication for fundoplication in neurologically normal patients. The most frequent diagnostic studies were upper gastrointestinal series (76.3 %) and 24 hour esophageal pH monitoring (78.2 %). Fundoplication had been increased since 2004 and mostly done laparoscopically. In conclusion, our 11 years' practice of open and laparoscopic fundoplication indicates that both approaches are safe and effective in the treatment of GERD for infants and children.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.302-308
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• 1999

Background: It is well known fact to the patients of duodenal ulcer that their condition is frequently accompanied with reflux esophagitis. Therefore this condition is called an "acid-related disorder" because it is commonly associated with increased acidity. But there has been disputes on the effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication in these two conditions and whether H. pylori infection may have a protective role in reflux esophagitis. Only few reports have dealt with the prevalence of reflux esophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux in patients with peptic ulcer The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux and to analyze the pattern of the pathologic reflux in peptic ulcer patients. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of 57 patients with endoscopically confirmed duodenal and/or gastric ulcer who all underwent 24hr ambulatory esophageal pH monitoring. Results: The prevalance of gastroesophageal reflux in peptic ulcer patients was 54.2% and 54,5% in gastric ulcer, and 62.5% in duodenal ulcer, 50% in combined ulcer, respectively. The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux in the control group was 22.7% Conclusion: We discovered significantly higher prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux in patients with peptic ulcer disease than in those without it. In conclusion, the presence or absence of gastroesophageal reflux must be considered in the setting of peptic ulcer disease management.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.511-517
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• 2019

Purpose: On the basis of evidence, we aimed to reevaluate the necessity of the empirical proton pump inhibitor (PPI) trial for children with suspected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Methods: We analyzed the frequency of GERD in 85 school-age children with gastroesophageal reflux (GER) symptoms, who received 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring and/or upper endoscopy. According to the reflux index (RI), the children were classified into normal (RI <5%), intermediate (5%${\leq}$ RI <10%), or abnormal (RI ${\geq}$10%) groups. Results: Fifty six were female and 29 were male. Their mean age was $12.6{\pm}0.5$ (${\pm}$standard deviation) years (range: 6.8-18.6). The RI analysis showed that the normal group included 76 patients (89.4%), the intermediate group included 6 patients (7.1%), and the abnormal group included 3 patients (3.5%). The DeMeester score was $5.93{\pm}4.65$, $14.68{\pm}7.86$ and $40.37{\pm}12.96$ for the normal, intermediate and abnormal group, respectively (p=0.001). The longest reflux time was $5.56{\pm}6.00$ minutes, $9.53{\pm}7.84$ minutes, and $19.46{\pm}8.35$ minutes in the normal, intermediate, and abnormal group, respectively (p=0.031). Endoscopic findings showed reflux esophagitis in 7 patients. On the basis of the Los Angeles Classification of Esophagitis, 5 of these patients were included in group A, 1 patient, in group B and 1 patient, in group C. Conclusion: The incidence of GERD was very low in school-age children with GER symptoms. Therefore, injudicious diagnostic PPI trials would be postponed until the actual prevalence of GERD is verified in future prospective studies.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2001

Purpose: Gastroesophgeal reflux (GER) is defined as involuntary movement of gastric contents into esophagus. Relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter caused by immature anatomical development in newborn and young infants produces GER frequently. We wanted to know whether the frequency of GER is influenced by feeding types and position or not. We studied in 16 subjects according to feeding types (breast feeding group: BFG-7, formula feeding group: FFG-9) who admitted to the Soonchunhyang university hospital for recurrent regurgitation with 24 hr esophageal pH monitoring from August 1996 to July 1999. Methods: We compared two groups by number of reflux episode, reflux rate, longest episode, numbers of episodes lasting >5 minutes, longest episode in upright position and longest episode in supine position. We used Mann-Whitney test for statistical analysis. Results: 1) The subjects were 7 infants in BFG and 9 infants in FFG, 16 in total, and mean age was 2.1, and 2.6 months for BFG and FFG, respectively. 2) The reflux numbers were $244{\pm}151/day$, $275{\pm}155/day$ for BFG and FFG, respectively. 3) The reflux rate was $14{\pm}15%$ for BFG and $28{\pm}22%$ for FFG. It was lower in BFG. 4) The longest episode was $20{\pm}28$ minutes for BFG and $58{\pm}66$ minutes for FFG. It was significantly longer in FFG. 5) The numbers of episodes lasting >5 minutes were $5{\pm}6$ for BFG and $9{\pm}3$ for FFG. 6) The longest episode in upright position was $10{\pm}8$ minutes for BFG and $40{\pm}47$ minutes for FFG. It was significantly shorter in BFG. 7) The longest episode in supine position was $18{\pm}29$ minutes for BFG and $52{\pm}66$ minutes for FFG. It was significantly shorter in BFG. Conclusion: Breast feeding is strongly recommended to reduce the regurgitation in infancy. It is an another benefit of breast feeding.