{
  "abstract": "Assessing the oesophageal sphincter in children is vital for diagnosing gastrointestinal disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and achalasia. However, normative data for paediatric oesophageal function are limited, hindering clinical interpretation. EndoFLIP (Endoluminal Functional Imaging Probe) provides a dynamic evaluation of the sphincter by measuring diameter, compliance, pressure, and distensibility. Despite its utility in adults, baseline oesophageal values in children remain largely unexplored. This study aims to establish baseline oesophageal sphincter values in a paediatric population using EndoFLIP differentiating between those with achalasia and those without, to enhance diagnostic accuracy, providing reference data to facilitate the evaluation of oesophageal function in clinical practiceThis retrospective review was conducted at our single-centre institution, including paediatric patients aged 1 to 16 years who underwent EndoFLIP assessment between June 2022 and May 2024. The EndoFLIP was performed during endoscopy, comparing data between achalasia and non-achalasia groups.A total of 274 measurements were collected from 32 children, mean age 9.5 ± 4.6 years; 53% male, showing distinct trends in key parameters as the balloon volume increased. Data were grouped into achalasia (n=6) and non-achalasia (n=26) cohorts. Measurements (non-achalasia and achalasia) included oesophageal diameter, compliance, pressure, and distensibility, categorised by balloon volumes of 20, 30, 40, and 50 mL. Diameter (7.0, 5.9), (8.6, 6.4), (10.4, 7.8), (11.2, 7.8) mm. Compliance (116.6, 87.8), (127.3, 189.4), (117.0, 194.0), (179.2, 205.0) mm3/mmHg. Pressure (14.1, 10.7), (22.9, 12.7), (29.3, 18.5), (36.8, 23.8) mmHg. Distensibility (3.1, 3.1), (3.1, 3.1), (3.6, 2.9), (3.4, 2.2) mm2/mmHg.Abstract OC12 Figure 1Overall, these results reveal clear differences in oesophageal diameter, compliance, pressure, and distensibility between groups across increasing balloon volumes, providing key reference points that distinguish achalasia from non-achalasia presentations, establishing normative values for oesophageal function in children and enhancing understanding of oesophageal motility in this population. Achalasia patients had lower initial compliance, lower resting pressures, and decreasing distensibility with balloon volume compared to non-achalasia patients. They also exhibited smaller oesophageal diameters compared to non-achalasia patients across all balloon volumes (figure 1). Non-achalasia patients showed increasing diameter (figure 1) and stable distensibility with volume, while achalasia patients exhibited reduced compliance, characteristic of achalasia.This study establishes normative EndoFLIP values for the oesophageal sphincter in a paediatric population, offering a valuable reference for assessing oesophageal function in children, using balloon volume less than 40 ml during EndoFLIP does not allow accurate evaluation of LOS. The findings demonstrate clear trends in diameter, compliance, pressure, and distensibility across increasing balloon volumes with balloon volume 40 and 50 ml are accurate at assessing LOS disorders, enhancing our understanding of oesophageal motility and aiding in the evaluation of paediatric gastroenterological conditions.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "King’s College London",
        "Evelina London"
      ],
      "name": "William Kong"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "King’s College London",
        "Evelina London"
      ],
      "name": "Miri Taneichi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "King’s College London",
        "Evelina London"
      ],
      "name": "Noeni Austin"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "King’s College London",
        "Evelina London"
      ],
      "name": "Jaime Chan"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Evelina London",
        "King’s College London"
      ],
      "name": "Mohamed Mutalib"
    }
  ],
  "title": "OC12 EndoFLIP assessment of oesophageal sphincter in children: a single-centre experience",
  "uid": "3479d886-5eca-5bf4-abf0-d447f06fa880"
}