ABSTRACT
AIM: : The aim of this study was to correlate the data obtained with multiple intraluminal esophageal impedance and pH (MII-pH) recordings in infants and children referred for suspected gastroesophageal reflux disease with esophageal histology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: : In a prospective study, results of esophageal biopsies and MII-pH recording obtained in 45 children (mean age +/- SD: 69 +/- 55 months) were analyzed. Regarding the MII-pH data, an automatic (Autoscan Bioview Analysis Software, version 5.3.4, Sandhill Scientific Inc, Highlands Ranch, CO) and a manual reading were performed; an automatic pH analysis (meal included) was also performed. RESULTS: : Acidic, weakly acidic, and alkaline reflux episodes accounted, respectively, for 48.7%, 49.5%, and 1.8% of the total number of reflux episodes detected by MII-pH. Esophagitis was present in 25 (56%) children. Concordance between classic pH-study analysis (alone) and esophageal histology was found in 19 of 45 (42%) children. According to the MII-pH analysis, the mean and median value of the pH were significantly higher in the group with esophagitis than in the group with normal esophageal histology. A longer clearance time was found in the group with esophagitis than in subjects with normal histology. Gas reflux episodes represented 21% of the total reflux episodes and were comparable in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: : Multiple intraluminal esophageal impedance and pH analysis does not provide a distinct parameter to predict esophageal mucosal injury in children. In our population, MII-pH shows comparable acidic, weakly acidic, alkaline, and gas reflux in children with and without esophagitis. Further research is needed to analyze clearance parameters.
Subject(s)
Esophageal pH Monitoring , Esophagitis/physiopathology , Esophagus/pathology , Gastroesophageal Reflux/complications , Biopsy , Case-Control Studies , Child , Child, Preschool , Electric Impedance , Eructation , Esophagitis/epidemiology , Esophagitis/etiology , Esophagus/physiopathology , Female , Humans , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Male , Prospective Studies , Reference ValuesABSTRACT
"Planning is under way for the U.S.A. bicentennial census in 1990. The U.S. Census Bureau sponsored a study panel under the U.S. Committee on National Statistics to consider key aspects of methodology for the census and to recommend priority areas for research and testing. The recommendations of the Panel on Decennial Census Methodology, which are summarized in this paper, cover four main topics: adjustment of the census counts for coverage errors, methods of coverage evaluation, uses of sampling in obtaining the count, and uses of administrative records in improving the quality of selected content items."