Gastro-oesophageal reflux in pregnancy. Altered function of the barrier to reflux in asymptomatic women during early pregnancy
Bainbridge, E.T.; Nicholas, S.D.; Newton, J.R.; Temple, J.G.
Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology 19(1): 85-89
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-5521 PMID: 6538697 Document Number: 221297
The effect of early pregnancy on the competence of the barrier to gastroesophageal reflux (GOR) was investigated. Esophageal manometry and prolonged intraesophageal pH monitoring were carried out in 12 asymptomatic pregnant women and in 7 nonpregnant women. There was no significant difference in mean intragastric pressure between these 2 groups. However, both mean lower esophageal sphincter (LOS) pressure and mean barrier pressure (LOS pressure minus intragastric pressure) were significantly lower in the pregnant subjects (16.9 .+-. 0.79 mm Hg; 8.69 .+-. 0.73 mm Hg) than in the controls (21.5 .+-. 1.93 mm Hg; 14.1 .+-. 1.22 mm Hg) (P < 0.01 and < 0.001, respectively). No significant difference could be demonstrated between the 2 groups with regard to degree of GOR, although the pregnant women did exhibit a tendency towards more marked reflux. A diminution in the barrier to reflux is indicated in early pregnancy due to a reduction in LOS pressure, which may be the basis of symptomatic GOR in pregnancy.