Gastroesophageal reflux in children with chronic recurrent cough

Abstract

Background Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is reported to be one of the most common causes of chronic recurrent cough (CRC). In Indonesia, so far there is no published data concerning GER in children with CRC. Objectives To determine the prevalence of GER in children with CRC in general, and asthma in particular; and to describe the clini- cal profile associated with GER in these children. Methods This was a cross sectional study on children with CRC who were investigated for GER using 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring. GER was graded based on reflux index (RI) stated in pHmetry results i.e., mild (RI=5-10%), moderate (RI>10-20%), and severe (RI>20%). Results Among 48 children with CRC, GER was detected in 22 (46%) of them (mild GER in 14, moderate in 3, and severe in 5 children). In 35 children with asthma, which is the most frequent cause of CRC in our hospital, GER was detected in 15. The preva- lence of GER increased parallel with the frequency of cough epi- sodes i.e., 10/27 in children with infrequent episodes of cough, 4/ 10 in children with frequent episodes of cough, and 8/11 in chil- dren with persistent cough. Clinical profiles associated with GER in these children were persistent/ frequent episodes of CRC and undernutrition. Conclusions The prevalence of GER in children with CRC was 46%, and in those with asthma was 15/35. The clinical profiles associated with GER are persistent/frequent episodes of CRC and undernutrition

Keywords

• gastroesophageal reflux
• chronic cough
• recurrent cough
• asthma
• children
• prevalence
• 24-hour esophageal monitoring