<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the esophageal function of
neonates by high resolution
manometry (HRM), and to provide
preliminary data for
research on the esophageal function of
neonates.</p><p><b>
METHODS</b>Esophageal HRM was performed on
neonates using a solid-
state pressure measurement system with 36 circumference sensors arranged at intervals of 0.75 cm, and ManoView
software was used to analyze esophageal
peristalsis pattern.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Esophageal HRM was performed successfully in 11
neonates, and 126 occurrences of complete esophageal
peristalsis were recorded. Complete esophageal
peristalsis with
pressure increase was recorded in some
neonates but most
neonates showed a different esophageal
peristalsis pattern compared with
adults. Some
neonates had no
relaxation of the
upper esophageal sphincter (UES) when
pharyngeal muscles contracted in
swallowing, some
neonates had multiple
swallowing without esophageal
peristalsis and some
neonates had relatively low
pressure of esophageal
peristalsis. Full-term
infants could have relatively low UES
pressure and esophageal sphincter (LES)
pressure but some
preterm infants showed relatively high UES
pressure and LES
pressure. Longitudinal contraction of the whole
esophagus and elevation of LES after
swallowing were recorded in some
neonates.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Esophageal HRM is safe and tolerable for
neonates. HRM shows that esophageal
peristalsis after
swallowing may not occur or may be incomplete in
neonates. The esophageal function of
neonates has not yet been developed completely, with large
individual differences in esophageal
peristalsis. Large sample data are needed for further
analysis and
research on the esophageal function of
neonates.</p>