| Title |
Anti-reflux mucosal ablation (ARMA) as a novel minimally invasive treatment for severe gastroesophageal reflux disease in a child: the first pediatric case report |
| Authors |
Povilavičius, Jonas ; Tubutytė, Geistė ; Bagdonaitė, Kamilė ; Dulskas, Audrius ; Strumila, Arūnas ; Račytė, Austėja |
| DOI |
10.3389/fped.2026.1812619 |
| Full Text |
|
| Is Part of |
Frontiers in pediatrics.. Lausanne : Frontiers Media SA. 2026, vol. 14, p. 1-6.. eISSN 2296-2360 |
| Keywords [eng] |
anti-reflux mucosal ablation ; endoscopic therapy ; gastroesophageal reflux disease ; neurological impairment ; pediatrics |
| Abstract [eng] |
Background – Antireflux mucosal ablation (ARMA) is a novel, minimally invasive endoscopic technique for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Our case report evaluates the feasibility and early clinical outcomes of ARMA in a neurologically impaired pediatric patient with refractory GERD. Case description – A 9-year-old boy with spastic cerebral palsy presented with severe GERD refractory to a long-term proton pump inhibitor therapy. He suffered from profound oropharyngeal dysphagia and recurrent aspiration pneumonia requiring multiple hospitalization. An endoscopic ARMA procedure was performed under general anesthesia without intra-procedural complications or immediate adverse events. Early follow-up revealed improved reflux control, enhanced tolerance of gastrostomy feeding, and a reduced need for acid-suppressive therapy. No respiratory deterioration or procedure-related complications were observed. Conclusions – ARMA is a technically feasible, minimally invasive option for refractory GERD. While this initial case involved a high-risk, neurologically impaired child, the mechanism suggests broader applicability to other pediatric patients with medication-resistant GERD. |
| Published |
Lausanne : Frontiers Media SA |
| Type |
Journal article |
| Language |
English |
| Publication date |
2026 |
| CC license |
|
