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