Is There a Potential Link between Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Recurrent Respiratory Tract Infections in Children?

BACKGROUND: The implications of gastroesophageal reflux disease in respiratory tract infections have been investigated over time. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between these two pathologic entities and the outcome after proper antireflux treatment. METHODS: A group of 53 children with recurrent respiratory tract infections admitted in the gastroenterology clinic of a children's hospital in North-East Romania was investigated for gastroesophageal reflux disease through 24 h pH-metry. Those with a Boix-Ochoa score higher than 11.99 received proton pump inhibitor treatment and were reevaluated after 2 months. RESULTS: A total of 41 children were found with a positive Boix-Ochoa score. After 2 months of antireflux therapy, eight patients still had a positive Boix-Ochoa score. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent respiratory tract infections with symptoms resistant to treatment should be considered a reason to investigate for gastroesophageal reflux, because the symptoms may be due to micro- or macro-aspiration of the gastric refluxate or to an esophageal-bronchial reflex mediated through the vagal nerve.