Development and psychometric evaluation of 2 age-stratified versions of the Pediatric GERD Symptom and Quality of Life Questionnaire.

Objectives: The Pediatric Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptom and Quality of Life Questionnaire (PGSQ) represents 2 related age-stratified tools developed to assess pediatric gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). These include the PGSQ-Cp (for children ages 2 to 8 years, parent/caregiver report) and the PGSQ-A (for adolescents ages 9-17 years). The objective of the present study was to develop and evaluate PGSQ measurement properties.

Pediatric gastroesophageal reflux clinical practice guidelines: joint recommendations of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) and the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN).

Objective: To develop a North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) and European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) international consensus on the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease in the pediatric population.

Methods: An international panel of 9 pediatric gastroenterologists and 2 epidemiologists were selected by both societies, which developed these guidelines based on the Delphi principle. Statements were based on systematic literature searches using the best-available evidence from PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and bibliographies.

A global, evidence-based consensus on the definition of gastroesophageal reflux disease in the pediatric population.

Objectives: To develop an international consensus on the definition of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the pediatric population.

Methods: Using the Delphi process, a set of statements was developed and voted on by an international panel of eight pediatric gastroenterologists. Statements were based on systematic literature searches using Medline, EMBASE, and CINAHL.

Multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial assessing the efficacy and safety of proton pump inhibitor lansoprazole in infants with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of lansoprazole in treating infants with symptoms attributed to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that have persisted despite a >or= 1-week course of nonpharmacologic management.

Study Design: This multicenter, double-blind, parallel-group study randomized infants with persisting symptoms attributed to GERD to treatment with lansoprazole or placebo for 4 weeks. Symptoms were tracked through daily diaries and weekly visits.

Step-up and step-down approaches to treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease in children.

The single biggest change in the approach to treating pediatric gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in recent years has been the empiric use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for symptoms suspected to be those of GERD. In other words, PPIs have been used increasingly as a first-line concurrent diagnostic test and treatment before any investigation. Although this approach is useful for some patients, there are a number of caveats about its application to children.

Eosinophilic esophagitis in children and adults: a systematic review and consensus recommendations for diagnosis and treatment.

During the last decade, clinical practice saw a rapid increase of patients with esophageal eosinophilia who were thought to have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) but who did not respond to medical and/or surgical GERD management. Subsequent studies demonstrated that these patients had a "new" disease termed eosinophilic esophagitis (EE). As recognition of EE grew, so did confusion surrounding diagnostic criteria and treatment.

Characteristics of children receiving proton pump inhibitors continuously for up to 11 years duration.

Objective: To characterize those pediatric patients who receive long-term proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and to determine the safety of long-term use of PPIs in this population.

Study Design: Patient databases were screened for long-term PPI use, defined as more than 9 months of continuous prescription, between 1989 and 2004.

Results: The median duration of PPI use in the 166 patients in the study group was 3 years (range, 0.