Esophago-glottal closure reflex in human infants: a novel reflex elicited with concurrent manometry and ultrasonography.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Our aims were to identify and characterize the glottal response to esophageal mechanostimulation in human infants. We tested the hypotheses that glottal response is related to the type of esophageal peristaltic response, stimulus volume, and respiratory phase.

METHODS

Ten infants (2.8 kg, SD 0.5) were studied at 39.2 wk (SD 2.4). Esophageal manometry concurrent with ultrasonography of the glottis (USG) was performed. The sensory-motor characteristics of mechanostimulation-induced esophago-glottal closure reflex (EGCR, adduction of glottal folds upon esophageal provocation) were identified. Mid-esophageal infusions of air (N = 41) were given and the temporal relationships of glottal response with deglutition, secondary peristalsis (SP), and the respiratory phase were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression models.

RESULTS

The frequency occurrence of EGCR (83%) was compared (P < 0.001) with deglutition (44%), SP (34%), and no esophageal responses (22%). The odds ratios (OR, 95% CI) for the coexistence of EGCR with SP (0.4, 0.06-2.2), deglutition (1.9, 0.1-26), and no response (1.9, 0.4-9.0) were similar. The response time for esophageal reflexes was 3.8 (SD 1.8) s, and for EGCR was 0.4 (SD 0.3) s (P < 0.001). Volume-response relationship was noted (1 mL vs 2 mL, P < 0.05). EGCR was noted in both respiratory phases; however, EGCR response time was faster during expiration (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The occurrence of EGCR is independent of the peristaltic reflexes or the respiratory phase of infusion. The independent existence of EGCR suggests a hypervigilant state of the glottis to prevent retrograde aspiration during GER events.