Gastro-oesophageal reflux and hiatal hernia in children.

One case of a para-oesophageal hernia and ten cases of gasto-oesophageal reflux with or without hiatal hernia are reviewed. Vomiting commenced from the first week of life and in three children progressed to stricture formation. Pulmonary manifestations of gastro-oesophagela reflux were intractable asthma and attacks of bronchiolitis. A surgical operation performed through the abdomen was successful in controlling the reflux in all cases. Follow-up barium studies in all cases showed no hernia recurrences. A conservative approach to fibrous reflux strictures has been adopted and it is found that these can be cured by dilatations once the reflux has been controlled.