Good news for parents of preschoolers with recurrent wheezing! A Promising Tool for Wheezing in Preschoolers: pH-MII Monitoring and GERD.
A recent study published in Diagnostics suggests that a special test called pH-multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII) monitoring can accurately diagnose GERD-related wheezing in young children.
Researchers in Croatia investigated the effectiveness of pH-MII in 66 preschoolers with wheezing.
They found that 71% of the children actually had GERD based on this test. Compared to those without GERD, the children with GERD had more frequent reflux episodes, including acidic and weakly acidic ones.
Importantly, the study also showed that treating GERD with medication significantly reduced wheezing episodes. Specifically, using a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) led to at least a 50% decrease in wheezing for many children with GERD.
“This study is a major step forward in understanding the link between GERD and wheezing in young children,” the researchers conclude.
“It shows that pH-MII monitoring can be a valuable tool for diagnosis, and that treating GERD can significantly improve symptoms.”
What does this mean for parents?
If your preschooler has recurrent wheezing, talk to your doctor about pH-MII monitoring to see if GERD could be playing a role. If GERD is diagnosed, treatment with PPIs may help reduce wheezing and improve your child’s quality of life.
Remember, this is just a brief summary of the research. Always consult with your doctor for personalized medical advice.
Additional Info:
Here are some additional points you may want to consider:
- The study was relatively small, so further research is needed to confirm these findings.
- pH-MII monitoring can be an uncomfortable procedure for young children.
- There are other possible causes of wheezing in preschoolers besides GERD.
A Promising Tool for Wheezing in Preschoolers: pH-MII Monitoring and GERD.
More information:
Ivan Pavić et al, Diagnostic Utility of pH-MII Monitoring in Preschool Children with Recurrent Wheeze and Suspected Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Prospective Study, Diagnostics (2023). DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13233567