Bruce E Ogden¹, BittyLab LLC¹ , Diaz PI, CEO BittyLab LLC, Ramirez-Coombs EM, Coombs Research Analytics, Mathis MA, Clinical Psychology Intern, UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Ogden BE, Senior Medical Director

United States

Abstract

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a condition that occurs in over 2/3 of healthy infants; this “spitting up” typically peaks at 4 months, rarely leads to troublesome symptoms and largely disappears by 18 months. GERD is reflux disease associated with symptoms such as pain, irritability, feeding aversion, breathing difficulties, inconsolable crying (“colic”) and more. Unlike breastfeeding, typical bottle feedings allow air into the milk reservoir, which leads to air being swallowed with the milk. Eventually, increasing air in the stomach raises intragastric pressure over that of the lower esophageal sphincter, triggering reflux and esophageal injury. The “Bare® Air-Free Infant Feeding Device” prevents air entry, permits feeding in an upright position, and allows infant control over milk flow. It was designed to model the maternal breast and engineered to evoke the mechanics of breastfeeding. Subjects were recruited over the internet. Those meeting criteria for GERD (n=68) were compared with Controls (n=54) via the Infant Gastroesophageal Reflux Questionnaire Revised (I-GERQ-R), before and after a two week trial of the device. Mean±SD scores declined significantly in both GERD (23.51±4.82 to 11.36±6.21, -52%) and Control groups (10.73±3.38 to 5.53±5.21, -49%), (p<0.01). Of those initially meeting GERD criteria, 75% no longer met criteria for GERD following the device trial. In this small pilot study, the Bare® Air-Free Device dramatically reduced reflux symptoms for both GERD and Control groups. This technological leap forward adds significantly to the GERD knowledge base, is expected to spare many from suffering with GERD and promises to revolutionize the infant feeding industry.

Biography

Dr. Ogden was born and raised in Oakland, California, USA, obtained his undergraduate and medical education in Utah, did Pediatric Residency in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Neonatology Fellowship in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is Board Certified in Pediatrics and Neonatology. During undergraduate studies he took time off to serve as a missionary in Brazil where he gained an appreciation for a different people and culture. He is the father of 3 wonderful girls who’ve given him 6 amazing grandchildren. For over 30 years he’s been intimately involved in research, teaching and starting and running NICUs. Hobby: restoring historic homes.