Acid reflux can be an annoyance for adults who have to deal with it, but sometimes it even affects infants and children. Parents can be aware of diagnosis and treatment of reflux in their children so they know what to expect if their child shows symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER).
What is Gastroesophageal Reflux?
Gastroesophageal reflux is caused when the contents of the stomach back up into the esophagus. The esophageal sphincter is the muscle that allows the contents pass through the esophagus into the stomach, and when that opens and allows food back out the opposite way it can cause discomfort from gastroesophageal reflux, commonly referred to as acid reflux.
GER is actually fairly common in infants, usually because the esophageal sphincter has not fully developed, and the opening between the stomach and esophagus is not entirely closed, at least not all the time. In infants, the tell-tale sign of reflux is problems with spitting up. All babies spit up a little, but babies with reflux have extreme episodes where there are large amounts of regurgitation. Many infants with GER struggle with weight gain as a result.
Symptoms of GER in Children
While most infants outgrow reflux sometime around their first birthday, for some children it remains an ongoing problem. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse in the article “Gastroesophageal Reflux in Children and Adolescents” symptoms of GER may include:
- Heartburn
- Sore throat
- Weight loss
- Recurrent pneumonia
- Vomiting
Diagnosis of Acid Reflux
Parents who are concerned about acid reflux in their children should speak to a doctor. There are several diagnostic methods used to confirm whether a child has GER.
Barium Test: This is an x-ray taken of the upper digestive tract after a person swallows a white substance called barium which will show up on an x-ray. The test will show whether the barium is being allowed back into the esophagus from the stomach.
Endoscopy: A child is sedated during this test so that a small wire with a camera can be inserted down the esophagus into the stomach. A doctor will be able to look at the area and take tissue samples to determine if the area has been damaged from acid reflux.
PH Probe: A small tube is inserted into the esophagus through the nose which will be monitored for 24 hours while it measures acid levels in the child’s esophagus.
Milk Scan: Similar to an x-ray, but this test takes a series of pictures to see how the stomach digests food. This is helpful to watch when the doctor suspects stomach contents may be reaching the lungs and causing respiratory issues.
Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux
Many prescriptions are now available for children and even infants to take that help prevent reflux. Medications like Zantac, Pepcid, and Tagamet are popular choices for children. Before trying medication, parents can try some of these tips from Kids Health in “Gastroesophageal Reflux” to see if they alleviate the symptoms:
- Thicken a baby’s bottle with rice cereal
- Hold infants upright when feeding a bottle
- Raise the head of the infant or child’s mattress
- Avoid eating right before going to bed
- Avoid food triggers such as citrus, chocolate, spicy foods, or high -fat foods
Gastroesphageal Reflux can cause discomfort in many infants and children. Following a diagnosis parents can decide on a course of treatment that will alleviate symptoms and prevent long-lasting damage to the child’s body from this disease.
Sources:
Reflux. 411 on Pediatric Reflux and GERD (accessed April 10, 2010).
KidsHealth. Gastroesophageal Reflux, June 2008 (accessed April 10, 2010).
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. “Gastroesphogeal Reflux in Children and Adolescents,” August 2006.
Laura Wilson - Relatively new to the writing community, Laura Wilson is spending time writing about children, parenting, health, and education. She ...
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