| Acid reflux or GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux) is a | | | | - arching back while feeding |
| medical term used to describe a condition where | | | | - constant or sudden crying |
| food and stomach acid back up into the esophagus. | | | | - eating small amounts of food or refusing food |
| At the bottom of the esophagus is a ring of muscles | | | | Less common acid reflux symptoms in infants: |
| called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES | | | | - excessive drooling |
| opens and closes to allow food to enter the | | | | - frequent sinus or ear infections |
| stomach. After meals, the LES opens to release gas. | | | | - poor weight gain or weight loss |
| However, more than just gas may escape. Stomach | | | | - frequent sore throat |
| contents may flow back into the esophagus and out | | | | - trouble swallowing |
| the mouth. What parents see is the infant spitting up, | | | | - asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, wheezing |
| vomiting can also occur. | | | | Sometimes your doctor may make a diagnosis of |
| Acid reflux can occur during or after a feeding. It can | | | | acid reflux based on a parent's description of |
| also occur when babies cough or cry as well. Acid | | | | symptoms and feeding history and a physical exam |
| reflux occurs in the first three months of age in | | | | even if your baby is healthy and growing well. If your |
| more than half of all infants. It is quite common and is | | | | baby's doctor suspects a more serious condition, |
| generally called 'spitting up'. However, most babies do | | | | such as GERD they may order more tests. These |
| not need treatment. Acid reflux symptoms usually | | | | tests may include esophageal pH monitoring which |
| disappear between 12 to 18 months of age. For a | | | | measures the acidity in your baby's esophagus. |
| very small number of babies the symptoms can be | | | | Another test is an Upper endoscopy. This is where a |
| quite severe. In these cases, medical treatment is | | | | tube with a camera lens and light is inserted through |
| required. | | | | the baby's mouth and into the esophagus and |
| Common acid reflux symptoms in infants: | | | | stomach. The doctor uses this procedure to see if |
| - frequent coughing | | | | there is a narrowing or inflammation in the esophagus. |
| - frequent hiccups | | | | For most babies, acid reflux will disappear during the |
| - wet burps | | | | first year of life. It is extremely important to discuss |
| - bad breath | | | | the treatment options with your baby's doctor |
| - frequent spitting up | | | | before beginning any treatment method, especially |
| - irritable while feeding | | | | before using any over-the-counter medicine. |
| - frequent waking | | | | |