Detection of Pepsin in Oral Secretions of Infants with and without Laryngomalacia

Objectives: Laryngomalacia is a common cause of stridor in infants and is associated with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Although pepsin in operative supraglottic lavage specimens is associated with severe laryngomalacia, detection of pepsin in oral secretions has not been demonstrated in an outpatient setting. Methods: Children <2 years old with laryngomalacia diagnosed by flexible laryngoscopy and children without stridor were selected. Oral secretion samples were obtained in clinic from all subjects. Pepsin, IL-1 beta, and IL-8 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed to determine presence of LPR. Results: Sixteen laryngomalacia and sixteen controls were enrolled. Pepsin was detected more frequently in oral secretions of patients with laryngomalacia (13/16) than in controls (2/16; P < .001). Four patients with laryngomalacia developed symptoms requiring supraglottoplasty. Presence and level of salivary pepsin was not significantly associated with need for surgical management, nor were the levels or presence of IL-1 beta or IL-8 significantly associated with presence or level of pepsin, diagnosis of laryngomalacia, or need for operative management. Conclusion: Pepsin in saliva appears to be associated with laryngomalacia, suggesting a role for salivary pepsin as a noninvasive marker of LPR in patients with laryngomalacia. Future studies will determine the utility of this test in laryngomalacia.