ABSTRACT

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may be secondary to infectious, allergic, neurological, systemic and metabolic diseases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the frequency of atopy in children that is followed-up in our hospital with GERD.

Children who had presented to Dr. Behçet Uz Children Hospital, Allergy and Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition outpatient clinics between September 2007 and February 2008 with vomiting, abdominal pain, cough or wheezing and had diagnosed as GERD in scintigraphy were included. Presenting symptoms, duration of symptoms, received treatment, response of the cases to the treatments were recorded. Total eosinophil count, total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, presence of food mixture (fx5) and inhalant specific IgE (sIgE) were investigated. Skin prick test was performed to all cases with positive food or inhalant sIgE. Children with positive skin prick test were accepted as “atopic”. Atopy rate was compared to the values in Turkish children. Children who did and did not respond to treatment were compared with regard to these parameters.

A total of 59 children, of which 25 (42%) were girls; with a mean age of 4.7±2.9 years were included in the study. Children who did and did not respond to treatment were not different with regard to parameters mentioned above. Atopy rate (10%) in children with GERD was found similar to atopy rate (8.8%) determined in children from ‹zmir region.

No increase in atopy rate was found in children with GERD. No relation was determined between response to treatment and atopy.

Keywords: Atopy, gastroesophageal reflux, child