BACKGROUND/AIMS:

The use of questionnaires to identify GERD symptoms in pediatric population is limited especially in young children and infants where it is impossible to objectively assess the symptomatology due saying helplessness. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature in pediatric patients with suspected GERD, to evaluate questionnaires usage as diagnostic tool for this disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

A comprehensive literature search in various databases was performed. Two expert researchers on the topic conducted the studies selection. The search strategy consisted of key words: Gastroesophageal Reflux disease, IGERQ, infant, child, children, and questionnaire. The studies quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.

RESULTS:

Following the searching strategy, there were selected three studies, which used different questionnaires in different populations, Kleinman 2006 evaluated 185 patients younger than 18 months with the IGER-Q, test reliability was evaluated yielding 0.86 to 0.87, Deal 2005, 64 patients evaluated aged 1-11 months and 1-4 years and 63 patients reporting 90 and 85% sensitivity per age group respectively and 83 and 81.5% specificity respectively, and Stordal 2005 evaluated 99 patients aged 7-16 with 75% sensitivity and 96%specificity.

CONCLUSION:

the use of questionnaires as diagnostic tool for GERD in pediatric patients is limited and available clinical evidence is not enough to make a proper recommendation.