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GASTROINTESTINAL RESOURCES Gastroesophageal Reflux in Infants - Tutorial The Children's Medical Center of the University of Virginia sponsors this multimedia site to help parents develop an understanding of gastroesophageal reflux in infants. Included are animated diagrams showing the normal passage of food through the digestive tract and the mechanism of reflux. Additional sections discuss diagnostic procedures and treatment approaches. Constipation and Encopresis in Children The Children's Medical Center of the University of Virginia provides another multimedia site to help parents learn more about the digestive tract. This section covers bowel movements in children and problems with constipation and bowel incontinence. Sections on management provide an excellent overview of treatment strategies. Prokinetic Drugs and Gastrointestinal Motility Here's a clear description of gastrointestinal motility and its disorders. The most valuable part of the article is a discussion, with illustrations of four commonly prescribed medications used to increase the movement of food through the digestive tract. The mode of action is provided for cisapride, metoclopramid, erythromycin, and bethanechol. Atlas of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy This is an extensive atlas of photographs of the gastrointestinal system taken during an endoscopic examination. The pictures of the esophagus are particularly interesting. These include images of the normal esophagus, an esophageal fistula, and various types of esophagitis. Allergy and Reflux This 1995 news release from Johns Hopkins Medical School describes a research study in which a group of children with severe reflux esophagitis were placed on a hypo-allergenic amino-based formula for an average of 17 weeks. Gastrointestinal problems ceased in 8 of the 10 children in the study. The other two reported substantial improvement. Biopsies showed objective changes in the esophagus. Gastrointestinal symptoms were recreated in 9 of the 10 children when specific foods were reintroduced. This is a significant study, indicating that unidentified food allergy can be a major trigger of reflux esophagitis in some children.
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