Characteristics of the heart rhythm in children with gastroesophageal reflux disease

Abstract

Background. Incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) increases in patients from different age groups throughout the world. Studying the extraesophageal manifestations, including cardiologic symptoms of GERD, in children is relevant. The presence of changes in the heart helps to choose therapeutic intervention. The purpose was to study the heart rhythm and its changes in children with GERD. Materials and methods. We stu­died medical histories of 82 children aged 10 to 18 years with GERD. Upper endoscopy was done in order to study esophageal mucosa. According to the results of endoscopic examination, children were divided into groups. The first group included 26 patients with GERD and esophagitis, the second — 56 children with GERD and normal mucous membrane. Electrocardiography was performed for all children to clarify cardiac activity. Results. Heart rhythm di­sorders were observed in 34.4 % of children. The frequency of sinus tachycardia and sinus bradycardia was almost the same regardless of age. We compared frequency of heart rhythm disorders in children of groups I and II. The results showed that the frequency of sinus tachycardia was higher in patients of group I, sinus bradycardia — in group II. Conclusions. Frequency of heart rhythm disorders in children with GERD is rather high. The most unfavorable factor lea­ding to heart tachyarrhythmia is inflammation of esophageal mucosa.

Keywords

• gastroesophageal reflux disease
• children
• heart rhythm
• sinus tachycardia
• sinus bradycardia