Theoretical study of oesophageal filling in gastroesophageal reflux

Abstract

Using a theoretical model we have calculated the variations of oesophageal and gastric volumes between birth and adult age and correlated these variables with oesophageal lenght aiming at understanding their influence on the clinical pattern of GER at various ages and at providing data to allow an appropriate location of pH-electrode tip in children. Maximal oesophageal volume was equal to 6,01 % of that of neonatal stomach, to 5,05 % of that of a 24 month toddler and to 5,34 % of that of an adult revealing a rather proportionate growth of both organs. The fluid necessary to fill up 20 % of the length of an adult oesophagus would fill up 100 % of that of a 24 month toddler and almost 200 % of that of a newborn. Taking into account only this theorical data and disregarding all the funtional factors involved in vomiting we could partially explain the variations of clinical patterns of GER at several ages, the tendency of vomiting to improve after bipedestation and the milder expression of GER at adult age.