Background: Gastroesophageal reflux is a frequent problem after esophageal atr esia (EA) repair. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of esophagitis and Bar rett esophagus more than 10 years after repair of EA. Methods: Ninety-two patie nts treated between 1973 and 1985 were included in this prospective study. A que stionnaire was completed by 86 patients; esophagogastroscopy was performed in 49 patients. Results: Only 36 patients had no complaints at all. Thirty-one patie nts complained of difficulties swallowing solid food; 23 complained of heartburn . Esophagogastroscopy revealed grade 3 esophagitis in 2 patients and a macroscop ic image of Barrett esophagus in 2. Histology showed esophagitis in 30 patients, gastric metaplasia in 3, and no intestinal metaplasia (Barrett esophagus). Conc lusions: For epidemiologic reasons, that is, the short interval of follow-up (1 0 years) and the low compliance of the study group, larger numbers are needed to decide if routine long-term endoscopic screening after repair of EA is necessa ry. For now, it cannot yet be recommended. The prevalence of symptoms of gastroe sophageal reflux disease in this study group is higher than that in the general population, but we found no severe complications of gastroesophageal reflux in t he pediatric age group.
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