Gastroesophageal Reflux In Children

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it? Gastroesophageal (gas-tro-e-sof-uh-g-ull) reflux is also called "GER." Another name for it is chalasia (cuh-lay-shuh). It is when the food or stomach acid in the stomach comes back up the esophagus (e-sof-uh-gus). The esophagus is the tube that takes food from the mouth to the stomach. GER is most common in infants (less than 1 year old), but can occur at any age. It usually starts during the first few weeks of life. GER is usually gone by the time a child is 12 to 18 months old. GER is more common in children with certain medical problems or are born prematurely (early).

Causes: There is a muscle, called a sphincter (sh-fink-ter), on at the bottom of the esophagus. This muscle normally opens to let food into the stomach and closes to keep food and stomach acid in. If this muscle does not work properly the food or stomach acid can come back up the esophagus.

Signs and Symptoms: The signs and symptoms may be different for each child. Some of the most common signs and symptoms are listed below. Most of these symptoms will usually occur right after eating.

• Infants:
  
  
  • Choking
    
    
  • Coughing
    
    
  • Crying more than usual
    
    
  • Decreased appetite
    
    
  • Gagging
    
    
  • Hiccups
    
    
  • More irritable or fussy
    
    
  • Not gaining weight
    
    
  • Spitting up feedings
    
    
  • Vomiting (can be forceful)
  
  
• Children:
  
  
  • Bitter taste in the mouth
    
    
  • Burping
    
    
  • Coughing
    
    
  • Heartburn (pain or burning in the chest)
    
    
  • Hiccups
    
    
  • Painful swallowing
    
    
  • Stomach pain
    
    
  • Trouble swallowing
    
    
  • Vomiting

Care:

• Proper positioning after feeding may help prevent GER. The position your child needs to be in after eating may depend on the age of your child. It may also depend on how bad your child's symptoms are. Some caregivers may suggest placing infants on their back after eating. This is especially true if an infant sleeps after eating. Ask a caregiver about the best position for your infant or child.
  
  
• Your child may need to be fed more often with smaller amounts of food. This will help your child from eating too much at one time. Ask your child's caregiver how much food your child needs to gain the right amount of weight. Hold your child in an upright position while your child is feeding. Burp your child several times during and after the feeding. Try to feed your child at least 2 hours before bedtime.
  
  
• Adding 1 teaspoon or tablespoon of rice cereal for every 1 ounce of formula can thicken your child's formula. This may help your child keep the formula in the stomach. Talk to your child's caregiver before thickening your child's formula.
  
  
• A caregiver may need to do special tests to find out if your child has GER. Your child may need to take medicine if the GER does not get better with food and positioning changes. Some of these medicines can decrease the amount of acid made in the stomach. Others can help move food through the stomach easier and faster. If the GER is very serious, surgery may be needed. Surgery is usually only needed in a small number of infants and children.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your child's care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat your child.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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