Gastroesophageal reflux and swallowing in newborns and infants: integrative review of literature

Abstract:

The gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been found in 25% of babies and it could cause several damages in infant's development. This paper aims to realize an integrative review of literature searching publications that relates swallowing disturbances to the condition of gastroesophageal reflux in newborns and infants. The research was made consulting Bireme's (Virtual Health Library) and PubMed's websites. The catchwords used were gastroesophageal reflux, newborn and infant, both in Portuguese and in English. Descriptors were used in pairs, since their isolated use comprised many texts containing subject matters different from authors' interest. Papers from the last 10 years were selected. From the 1184 Bireme's and 1600 PubMed's articles analyzed through the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 23 articles left, being the majority concerned to GERD signs, symptoms and diagnosis. Two articles approached the GERD and swallowing, demonstrating that could have or not relation between the GERD and oropharyngeal dysphagia in newborns and infants, moreover, the lack of research on this subject matter shows the need of new studies focusing on the pathophysiological aspects involved.

Keywords:
Gastroesophageal Reflux; Swallowing Disturbances; Infants