Nasal continuous positive airway pressure inhibits gastroesophageal reflux in newborn lambs.

Background Using esophageal pHmetry, nasal CPAP (nCPAP) has been shown to decrease acid gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in adult humans. Although both GER (mainly non-acid) and nCPAP use are very frequent in newborns, the effect of nCPAP on GER in early life is unknown. Having recently shown that the newborn lamb is a unique model for studying neonatal GER, our main objective was to assess the effect of nCPAP on GER in newborn lambs. Methods Eight newborn lambs, aged 2–3 days, were studied. Continuous esophageal pH-Impedance monitoring and polysomnography were performed for six hours during both spontaneous breathing and nCPAP application at 6 cmH2O (nCPAP6), in a randomized order. Results were compared in the two experimental conditions, as well as without CPAP during the following 6 hours. Results i) nCPAP6 virtually abolished GER [mean ±SD reflux number for 6 h = 9.1±8.6 without nCPAP6 vs. 0.6±1 with nCPAP6, P<0.05]; ii) GER number was also reduced during the 6 h-period following nCPAP6 application (18±16 without nCPAP6 vs. 7±8.1 with nCPAP6, P<0.05); iii) nCPAP6 decreased the depth and duration of lower esophageal sphincter relaxation. Conclusions nCPAP inhibits GER in the newborn lamb. Further clinical studies using different levels of nasal CPAP are needed to confirm this result in human infants.