The current study shows high incidence of gastroesophageal reflux on 24-hour esophageal pH-metry in mechanically ventilated children with medical diagnoses. The significance of this finding and its impact on ventilator-associated pneumonia and other ventilator-associated events need to be examined in larger studies.

Sixty-one children (median [interquartile range], age 73 mo [30–132 mo]; 44 boys [72%]) were enrolled. Median Pediatric Risk of Mortality III score was 10.0 (3–16). Median duration of ventilation was 6 days (3–9 d).

Pathologic gastroesophageal reflux (acidic or alkaline) was present in 47 children (77%).

Twelve children (19.7%) met criteria for pathologic acidic gastroesophageal reflux, whereas 44 children (72.1%) had pathologic alkaline gastroesophageal reflux; nine children (14.7%) had both pathologic acidic and alkaline gastroesophageal reflux.

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