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Gastroesophageal reflux in infants Causes and Risks:
In infants, a small amount of reflux is normal. Persistent reflux with frequent vomiting , and subsequent irritation of the esophagus is indicated by unrelenting crying and discomfort. Reflux that causes breathing difficulty is considered abnormal.
Prevention:
There is no known prevention.
Symptoms:
Signs and Tests:
There may be a history of episodes of aspiration pneumonia .
Tests that may be performed include:
Treatment:
Prop the infant upright for 1 to 2 hours after feeding. This can be helped by use of a reflux board . When the infant begins to eat solid food, thickened foods are preferable to thin foods. Sometimes medications are used to help reduce symptoms, including antacids or Reglan (a prescription medication that improves peristalsis ).
Prognosis:
The majority of all infants outgrow this condition. In unusual cases, reflux may persist into childhood and cause varying degrees of esophageal damage.
Complications:
- esophageal irritation and inflammation
- esophageal stricture (scarring and narrowing)
- pneumonia caused by aspirating stomach contents into the lungs
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call your health care provider if your baby is vomiting frequently, especially if the vomiting is forceful or if other symptoms of reflux occur.
This illustration shows the major organs of the digestive system. Their relative sizes and positioning in the body are also demonstrated.
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