Sammanfattning
X : Gastrooesophageal reflux disease has a variety of symptoms in children. 24-hour pH monitoring in the lower oesophagus is the gold standard for documenting gastrooesophageal reflux. We present our experience with 24-hour pH monitoring in children. 150 pH recordings in 120 children were performed. Clinical background and results from pH monitoring were recorded, in addition to supplementary examinations and treatment. No complications were recorded, but ten recordings (8.3%) were unsuccessful. Mean age was 3.5 years (median 13 months; range one month to 15 years). 44% had a pathological reflux index. Indications for pH monitoring were dominated by regurgitation/vomiting (63%), failure to thrive (45%) and respiratory symptoms (32%). Of the supplementary examinations performed, upper gastrointestinal contrast series provided no additional information (34 children), while endoscopy (20 children) showed oesophagitis in 11. Medical treatment was prescribed in 66% of the cases based on the pH monitoring results and clinical evaluation. Five patients were given anti-reflux surgery, and ten received gastrostomy. Our experience with this recording technique is good. pH monitoring should be available in paediatric departments, as a large number of the recordings had clinical consequences for the patient.