[Recurrent bronchopneumopathies caused by gastroesophageal reflux in children. Clinical, x-ray and histologic studies of 36 cases].

The respiratory symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux, which sometimes includes massive and fatal inhalation, are well-known in infants. In older children the digestive signs are not clinically evident and the reflux mainly, if not exclusively, can be translated by recurring respiratory symptoms. The series of 36 cases presented in this work concerns children between 3 months and 15 years old, for whom the first signs were respiratory, with often a silent gastro-oesophageal reflux for several months, and even several years in some cases. The physiopathology of the respiratory symptoms concerns principally the repeated alimentary aspiration and/or gastric content during nocturnal decubitus. The pulmonary lesions caused by the reflux can be either localized, with atelectasis, obstructive emphysema or bronchiectasis, or generalized with granulomatous reactions around the food particles. Other respiratory conditions such as asthma or cystic fibrosis can be also associated with gastro-oesophageal reflux. The diagnostic criteria are discussed.