What is a pH probe used to determine?
Because a pH probe can measure and record reflux episodes and the lengths of reflux episodes, the results can determine whether a child has GER or GERD when compared to the normal number and lengths of reflux episodes. A pH probe can also determine whether the medicine is controlling the acid in your child’s stomach by measuring the effectiveness of the esophagus in clearing acid. What do I do to prepare for a pH probe study? Your child should not eat any solid food after midnight the night before the test, and should have no liquids except water four hours prior to the test (breast milk is usually allowed up to two hours before the test). Do not administer any antacids or acid-reducing medications (including Prilosec, Tagamet, Zantac, Axid, Prevacid, Pepcid, Maalox, Tums, and Gelusil). During the actual study, do not give your child foods or liquids that are high in acid (including juice, soda, popsicles, sherbet, fruit, fruit-flavored hard candy, ketchup, and tomato products). (Pleas
