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A proposition for the diagnosis and treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in children: A report from a working group on gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

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Abstract

In this paper, a Working Group on Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux discusses recommendations for the first line diagnostic and therapeutic approach of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in infants and children. All members of the Working Group agreed that infants with uncomplicated gastro-oesophageal reflux can be safely treated before performing (expensive and often unnecessary) complementary investigations. However, the latter are mandatory if symptoms persist despite appropriate treatment. Oesophageal pH monitoring of long duration (18–24 h) is recommended as the investigation technique of choice in infants and children with atypical presentations of gastro-oesophageal reflux. Upper gastro-intestinal endoscopy in a specialised centre is the technique of choice in infants and children presenting with symptoms suggestive of peptic oesophagitis. Prokinetics, still a relatively new drug family, have already obtained a definitive place in the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in infants and children, especially if “non-drug” treatment (positional therapy, dietary recommendations, etc.) was unsuccessful. It was the aim of the Working Group to help the paediatrician with this consensus statement and guide-lines to establish a standardised management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in infants and children.

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Abbreviations

GOR:

gastro-oesophageal reflux

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kaplan Hospital Rehovot, Israel

    A. Ashkenazi

  2. Hôpital Cantonal Universitaire, Genève, Switzerland

    D. Belli & D. Nusslé

  3. Hôpital Robert Debré, Paris, France

    N. Boige, J. P. Cezard & J. Navarro

  4. Sophia Children Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    J. Bouquet

  5. Hôpital Universitaire Des Enfants, Bruxelles, Belgique

    S. Cadranel

  6. Universita Degli Studi di Napoli, Napoli, Italy

    S. Cucchiara

  7. Hôpital Saint Vincent de Paul, Paris, France

    C. Dupont

  8. U.Z. Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium

    K. Geboes

  9. CHRU Lille, France

    F. Gottrand

  10. Academisch Ziekenhuis Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    H. S. A. Heymans

  11. Centro Pediatrico, Montevideo, Uruguay

    C. Jasinski

  12. Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    C. M. F. Kneepkens

  13. Heinrich-Heine-Universität, W-4000, Düsseldorf 1, Germany

    S. Koletzko

  14. Institute of Child Health, London, UK

    P. Milla

  15. Hôpital des Enfants Malades, Paris, France

    J. F. Mougenot

  16. Birmingham Maternity Hospital, Birmingham, UK

    S. J. Newell

  17. Barnkliniken, Bergen, Norway

    E. Olafsdottir

  18. Academisch Ziekenhuis Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, B-1090, Brussels, Belgium

    Y. Vandenplas & S. Peeters

  19. Spedali Civili, 25123, Brescia, Italy

    A. Ravelli

  20. Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    I. Polanco

  21. Royal Hospital St. Michaels' Hill, Bristol, UK

    B. K. Sandhu

  22. StRadboud Academisch Ziekenhuis Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    J. Tolboom

Authors
  1. Y. Vandenplas
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  2. A. Ashkenazi
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  3. D. Belli
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  4. N. Boige
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  5. J. Bouquet
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  6. S. Cadranel
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  7. J. P. Cezard
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  8. S. Cucchiara
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  9. C. Dupont
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  10. K. Geboes
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  11. F. Gottrand
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  12. H. S. A. Heymans
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  13. C. Jasinski
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  14. C. M. F. Kneepkens
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  15. S. Koletzko
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  16. P. Milla
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  17. J. F. Mougenot
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  18. D. Nusslé
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  19. J. Navarro
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  20. S. J. Newell
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  21. E. Olafsdottir
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  22. S. Peeters
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  23. A. Ravelli
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  24. I. Polanco
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  25. B. K. Sandhu
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  26. J. Tolboom
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Additional information

Working group on gastro-oesophageal reflux disease of the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

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Vandenplas, Y., Ashkenazi, A., Belli, D. et al. A proposition for the diagnosis and treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in children: A report from a working group on gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Eur J Pediatr 152, 704–711 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01953980

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01953980

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