Laryngotracheal manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux in children.

Gastroesophageal reflux is generally a benign condition, which resolves spontaneously, and which is usually manifested by digestive signs. More recently, laryngotracheal conditions such as laryngospasm, laryngomalacia and recurrent laryngitis, have been ascribed to gastroesophageal reflux. However, there is not a single common mechanism linking these two pathologies and different theories are postulated. Diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux is based essentially on prolonged pH monitoring, where a negative result unfortunately cannot rule out reflux responsibility. Thus, in the end, in the face of a sufficient body of evidence, it is the effectiveness of the anti-reflux treatment which will make it possible to establish a link between gastroesophageal reflux and the laryngotracheal manifestations observed.