Predictors of histopathological esophagitis in infants and adolescents with esophageal atresia within a national follow-up programme

PURPOSE: Esophageal atresia (EA) is a congenital anomaly of the foregut. Although the survival has improved over the years there is a significant gastrointestinal morbidity affecting physical function and health-related quality of life. The aims of the study were to identify and evaluate predictors of histopathological esophagitis in infants and adolescents with EA. METHODS: Single centre, cross-sectional study including one and 15-year-old patients operated for EA that participated in the national follow-up programme between 2012 and 2020 according to a pre-established protocol including upper endoscopy with oesophageal biopsies and 24h-pH-test. Data was collected from patients’ medical records and pH-analysis software. Regression models were used to identify predictors of histopathological oesophagitis. Possible predictors were abnormal reflux index, endoscopic esophagitis, hiatal hernia, symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and age. RESULTS: 65 patients were included, 47 children and 18 adolescents. All children were treated with PPI during their first year of life. Symptoms of GER were reported by 13 (31.7%) of the infant’s caregivers, 34 of the children (72.3%) had abnormal reflux index and 32 (68.1%) had histopathological esophagitis. The corresponding numbers for adolescents were 8 (50%), 15 (83.3%) and 10 (55.6%). We found no significant associations between histopathological esophagitis and endoscopic esophagitis, symptoms of GER, hiatus hernia or age group. Abnormal reflux index was an independent predictor of histopathological esophagitis. Seven patients with normal reflux index had histopathological esophagitis, all grade I. CONCLUSIONS: We found a high prevalence of histopathological esophagitis despite PPI treatment in accordance with recommendations. No significant difference between the two age groups was seen. Abnormal reflux index was an independent predictor of histopathological esophagitis. However, we cannot recommend the use of pH-metry as a substitute for esophageal biopsies; future studies are needed to elucidate if esophageal biopsies might be postponed in infants with normal reflux index.