Neuromotor markers of esophageal motility in feeding intolerant infants with gastroschisis.

Background: Feeding problems in neonates with gastroschisis are commonly attributed to foregut dysmotility. However, the dysmotility mechanisms are not well understood.

Objective: Our aim was to differentiate the pharyngoesophageal motility characteristics in neonates with gastroschisis compared with the controls.

Pharyngeal swallowing: defining pharyngeal and upper esophageal sphincter relationships in human neonates.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that the sensorimotor characteristics of the reflexes evoked on stimulation with air and water infusions differ by studying the effect of pharyngeal stimulation on pharyngeal-upper esophageal sphincter (UES) interactions in healthy neonates.

Study Design: Pharyngo-UES-esophageal manometry was recorded in 10 neonates at 39 +/- 4 weeks postmenstrual age. Pharyngeal infusions (n = 155) of air (0.

Effect of maturation of the magnitude of mechanosensitive and chemosensitive reflexes in the premature human esophagus.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of esophageal mechanosensitive and chemosensitive stimulation on the magnitude and recruitment of peristaltic reflexes and upper esophageal sphincter (UES)-contractile reflex in premature infants.

Study Design: Esophageal manometry and provocation testing were performed in the same 18 neonates at 33 and 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). Mechanoreceptor and chemoreceptor stimulation were performed using graded volumes of air, water, and apple juice (pH 3.

The relationship between somatic growth and in vivo esophageal segmental and sphincteric growth in human neonates.

Background: Measurement of aerodigestive tract length is an important determinant for accurate placement of esophageal probes and gavage tubes at the desired location. The relationship of esophageal body, upper esophageal sphincter (UES) and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) lengths with somatic growth in neonates is not well understood.

Objectives: Our objectives were to (1) evaluate a relationship between segmental esophageal lengths and somatic growth parameters and (2) ascertain the relationship between segmental esophageal lengths and gestational age (GA) and postmenstrual age (PMA) in preterm and full-term born human neonates.

Esophageal body and upper esophageal sphincter motor responses to esophageal provocation during maturation in preterm newborns.

Objectives: We studied the maturation of esophageal body and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) motor responses that protect against reflux in newborns.

Study Design: The responses of esophageal body and UES on midesophageal provocation were quantified using a micromanometric water perfusion system and a specially designed catheter with a UES sleeve and 5 side-hole recording sites. Eighteen healthy premature infants were studied twice, at 33.

Inflammation inhibits muscarinic signaling in in vivo canine colonic circular smooth muscle cells.

We investigated the effects of experimental colitis on the muscarinic signaling properties and contractile behavior of canine colonic circular smooth muscle. The hypotheses that inflammation 1) inhibits in vivo muscarinic receptor mediated contractions, and 2) alters receptor density or receptor-binding affinities were tested. Muscarine was infused close-intra-arterially in seven conscious dogs during normal and experimental colitis states.

Gastroesophageal reflux in the neonate.

Physiologic GER may be a maturational phenomenon, because infants outgrow this over time. Many aspects of GERD in neonates and young infants remain incompletely understood, however, particularly the pathophysiology and long-term problems in high-risk neonates. Diagnostic and therapeutic availability is vital in infants with GER and airway compromise, apnea events, or chronic lung disease.

Effect of erythromycin on gastroduodenal contractile activity in developing neonates.

Background: The occurrence of phase III of migrating motor complexes in neonates is inversely related to gestational age, and it can be triggered in some infants by the motilin receptor agonist erythromycin. After intragastric erythromycin, the authors determined 1) the occurrence and characteristics of phase III of migrating motor complexes, 2) the antral and duodenal motor responses, and 3) the dose-response relation among preterm and full-term infants.

Methods: Using an unbalanced, repeated measures design, 25 preterm and term infants were given two of three doses of intragastric erythromycin: 0.