Achalasia cardia in Indian children– experience from a tertiary care institute in Chennai, India

Sumathi Bavanandam; Chidambaram Sethuraman; Nirmala Dheivamani; Bhaskar Raju B

Volume : VII, Issue : IX, September - 2018

Achalasia cardia in Indian children– experience from a tertiary care institute in Chennai, India

Sumathi Bavanandam, Chidambaram Sethuraman, Nirmala Dheivamani, Bhaskar Raju B

Abstract :

Introduction:Achalasia cardiaa rare oesophageal motility disorder is not uncommon in children. Aim and objectives:To describe the clinical profile of achalasia from a single pediatric tertiary care centre.Materials and Methods:Retrospective analysis of case records over a period of 10 years from March 2008 to March 2018 at institute of child health and hospital for childrenChennai, India.Results: 26 children had achalasia and 11 (42.3%) were males. Themean age was 42.08�36.33 months and 19 (73.07%) were less than five years at diagnosis .Vomiting was the most common symptom(88.4%) followed by failure to thrive(80.77%). Six had features of Allgrove syndrome.Heller�s cardiomyotomywith or without fundoplicationwas done in 24 (92.3%) and pneumatic dilatation in two.Conclusion:Achalasia cardiais not uncommon and should be considered in children presenting with vomiting, dysphagia and failure to thrive. Surgery remains to be safe and effective.