The effect of tube feeding on postprandial gastroesophageal reflux.

Distal esophageal pH in supine position was monitored for 6 hours in 13 asymptomatic infants. During this period the patients received 15 to 20 mL/kg of 5% glucose solution twice every 3 hours. Each meal was fed orally or through a pH sensor tube. When the patient was fed through a tube, the meal was introduced into the stomach or into the distal esophagus. The extent of reflux during 2 hours after feeding was compared between oral and tube feeding. Comparing oral and intragastric tube feeding, intragastric tube feeding showed significantly fewer reflux events, a smaller percentage of time in the esophageal pH below 4, and a shorter duration of the longest single reflux event. Comparing oral and intraesophageal tube feeding, intraesophageal tube feeding showed the same pattern. The data indicated that tube feeding significantly diminishes the postprandial reflux.