Symptoms Arising from Non-Acid Reflux in Children
Dr. Rosen is the recipient of the IFFGD 2005 Research Award to Pediatric Investigator, Clinical Science. Her current research focuses on the role of non-acid reflux in symptom development in children. In the studies that she and her colleagues have conducted at the motility unit at Children's Hospital Boston, they found that non-acid reflux is common in pediatrics.
Summary
Because of the large public health impact of chronic respiratory disease, pulmonologists (doctors who specialize in lung disorders) and otolaryngologists (doctors who specialize in ear, nose, and throat disorders) have been actively searching for a cause for these high rates of disease. One factor implicated as a cause for respiratory disease is gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Prior literature has focused on the role that acid reflux plays in the genesis of respiratory disease. There is also literature that suggests that non-acid reflux in children may be associated with other respiratory symptoms.
Some patients experience reflux that is missed by our currently available tests and that is not effectively treated by acid suppression medications.
This reflux has recently been termed "non-acid reflux," is defined as reflux with a pH greater than 4, and has been shown in prior pediatric studies to affect a significant number of children.Because the understanding of the role of non-acid reflux is in its infancy, very few studies have addressed the treatment options for patients with pathologic non-acid reflux. Many new studies are underway to clarify the role of non-acid reflux in disease and the possible therapies to treat non-acid reflux.