GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX IN NEONATES WITH CONGENITAL ABDOMINAL-WALL

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER), not yet described as a real complicatio n, takes place very often in neonates with congenital abdominal wall d efect. Our aim was to determine whether it is due to abdominal hyperpr essure alone, or if another factor is involved in this occurrence. Thu s we studied one group of 80 gastroschises and one of 67 omphaloceles, treated in our department between December 82 and December 92. Overal l occurrence was found to be about 50% in both groups. The main featur e is the particular severity of GER in neonates with nide omphalocele who required staged closure, leading to further surgical antireflux pr ocedure. Mie suggest that this procedure could be performed earlier, a t the time of closure, for these babies in whom moreover the anatomic approach is favorable.