Normal ranges of 24-hour pH-metry established in corrected esophageal atresia

Background: This study was undertaken to determine baseline values of 24-hour pH-metry in children who had undergone correction for esophageal atresia. Methods: A 24-hour pH-metry without medication was conducted in 13 patients with an uncomplicated postoperative course after correction of esophageal atresia. The pH-metry was performed in the hospital with a flexible glass electrode. Results: The mean reflux index was 4.08%, the mean total number of reflux periods with a pH less than 4 was 21, and the mean number of periods of pH less than 4 lasting longer than 5 minutes was 2.5. Conclusions: Twenty-four-hour pH-metry values in asymptomatic esophageal atresia patients are the same as in children from the same age group with normal anatomy.