Esophageal acid reflux can trigger asthma at any age. A study recently published in the in the Journal of Asthma suggested that children with higher intensity acid reflux (with abnormal results on esophageal pH monitoring) had more frequent or difficult-to-control nighttime asthma attacks.
It is important to consider GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux, in young children with asthma whose nighttime asthma control is difficult, especially if they are found to have no underlying allergies triggering their asthma. The age of onset of nighttime uncontrollable asthma was younger for children with abnormal pH results: 3.63 vs. 5.77 years.
This study raises the possibility that some asthmatic children may have coexisting GERD in need of treatment.
Kwiecien J, Nachura E, Halkiewicz F, et al: Clinical features of asthma in children differ with regard to the intensity of distal gastroesophageal acid reflux. J Asthma. 2011; 48: 366-373.
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