Measurement of the oesophageal pressure is a method that facilitates understanding of the etiopathogenesis of the gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in children. The authors analysed measurements of the oesophageal pressure in 40 children, divided into two groups according to the results of 24 hours pH metry. Ineffective motility of the oesophagus has been found more frequently in children with GER compared to those with normal pH metry (in proximal oesophagus p < 0.01; in distal oesophagus p < 0.001). The authors also found, that 96% of children with GER had more than 30% uncoordinated contractions, which is significantly different from children without GER (p < 0.01). Body weight and proportion of peristaltic contractions were significantly associated both in the proximal (p < 0.001) and distal (p < 0.001) oesophagus in children without GER, while in children with GER no association was found. The authors conclude that non-specific disorders of oesophageal motility significantly contribute to etiopathogenesis of GER in children.

        Key words: gastroesophageal reflux in children, oesophageal motility disorders, oesophageal manometry