The yield of esophageal pH monitoring during polysomnography in infants with sleep-disordered breathing

This study evaluates the yield of adding simultaneous esophageal pH monitoring to polysomnography (PSG) in 41 infants with unexplained sleep disordered breathing. The relationships of respiratory events to episodes of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) were analyzed. The major causes for referring the infants were cyanotic episodes (22%), apneas (20%), and choking events (15%). PSG was abnormal in 8/41 (20%). Abnormal pH studies were observed in 12/41 (29%) infants. In 4/12 (33%), respiratory events correlated with GER episodes. Adding simultaneous pH monitoring to PSG may identify associated conditions and thus focus treatment.