24-hour pH impedance study for gastro-oesophageal reflux Symptoms. This test measures the length of time it takes for your child’s stomach contents (acid or non-acid) to come back up into his or her esophagus (gastro esophageal reflux or GER) and helps in corelating with the symptoms of reflux or extra esophageal symptoms. This is one of the best possible tests for diagnosing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

In this test, a small probe is put through the nose and into the esophagus (feeding tube). The probe measures gastric contents coming up in the esophagus over a 18-24 hours period. It can also tell if the stomach contents are acid or non-acid.

The small probe is attached to a monitor which records reflux continuously. Because the probe is attached to the monitor, your child may need to stay at the hospital overnight. Some refluxes of the stomachs contents into the esophagus is normal but if this happens more often, or for long periods of time, it may cause discomfort, vomiting, irritation to the lining of the esophagus or weight loss. It can also cause breathing problems such as a cough, asthma or aspiration pneumonia.

A pH-impedance study takes 18-24 hours. The probe is left in place for this time. When the probe is removed, your child’s gastroenterologist Dr. Ajay Sharma or other primary gastroenterologist will interpret the information recorded in the computer so we have a record of your child.