Gestational and postnatal modulation of esophageal sphincter reflexes in human premature neonates.

BACKGROUND

Effects of gestational age (GA) and postnatal maturation on upper and lower esophageal sphincter (UES and LES) reflex development remain unclear. We hypothesized very-preterm (VPT) born neonates (< 32 wk GA) have delayed maturation of UES contractile reflex (UESCR) and LES relaxation reflex (LESRR) vs. preterm (PT) born (32-37 wk GA) neonates.

METHODS

Using provocative manometry, effects of 1,263 graded mid-esophageal stimuli (air, liquid) on sensory-motor characteristics of UESCR and LESRR were investigated in 24 VPT-born and 12 PT-born neonates (37.8 ± 0.6 vs. 38.9 ± 0.4 wk postmenstrual age respectively, P = 0.14).

RESULTS

In response to liquid stimuli (vs. air), VPT-born neonates displayed prolonged UESCR and LESRR response latencies (P < 0.001) and prolonged UESCR and LESRR durations (P < 0.01); unlike PT-born neonates, who exhibit prolonged LESRR response latency (P < 0.01), but similar UESCR and LESRR durations (P = 0.2). Differences were noted in LESRR duration in VPT vs. PT neonates for air stimuli (P = 0.04). With liquid stimuli, increasing GA was associated with decreasing response onset latencies to UESCR and LESRR (P < 0.05), and increasing LESRR duration (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Using GA as categorical or continuous variable, vagus-mediated mechano-sensitive and liquid-sensitive reflex characteristics of UESCR and LESRR are distinct; LESRR differs with varying intrauterine maturation suggesting inhibitory modulation progresses with advancing maturation.