[Chronic laryngitis in children: the role of gastroesophageal reflux].

UNLABELLED Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) is associated with a number of inflammatory ENT disorders in the adult and is correlated with recurrent croup in the child. AIM To estimate the frequency of GOR in a population of children consulting for chronic laryngotracheal symptoms. METHOD The study included 17 children, aged between 2 and 14 years (mean: 7 years) all of whom suffered from dysphonia or a chronic cough. After a clinical ENT examination, each child had a fibreoptic laryngoscopy and a long duration pH-study lasting between 18 and 24 hours. RESULTS Pathological GOR was discovered in 10 children, i.e. 59%. Overall the number of refluxes per study varied from 6 to 816 (mean 156). The vast majority of these refluxes occurred when the child was awake. CONCLUSION In our series of children with chronic laryngotracheal disorders, at least 59% were shown to suffer from pathological GOR.