See also:

• ]]>GERD—Overview]]>
• ]]>GERD—Adolescent]]>
• ]]>GERD—Infant]]>
• ]]>GERD—Children With Disabilities]]>

Definition

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a disorder that results from food and stomach acid backing up into the esophagus from the stomach.

GERD is different from gastroesophageal reflux (GER). GER is a common disorder seen in infants, which causes them to spit up. Most infants outgrow this within 12 months. If symptoms do not improve by 18 to 24 months, your infant may have GERD.

GERD can cause serious health issues. The sooner it is treated, the better the outcome.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Food and acid back up into the esophagus from the stomach.

© 2009 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.

Causes

The cause of GERD in infants is unknown. Several factors contribute to GERD including:

• Abnormal pressure to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a valve that keeps food in the stomach
• Narrow or short esophagus
• Possibly a genetic link
• Delayed emptying of the stomach (although studies have shown that this may not cause GERD in infants)

Risk Factors

The following factors increase your infant's chance of developing GERD. If your infant has any of these risk factors, tell the doctor:

• Premature birth]]>
• ]]>Down syndrome]]> or ]]>mental retardation]]>
• ]]>Cerebral palsy]]>
• ]]>Head injury]]>
• ]]>Hiatal hernia]]>
• ]]>Food allergies]]>
• ]]>Obesity]]>
• Certain medications (eg, theophylline, dexamethasone)
• Exposure to tobacco smoke

Symptoms

If your baby experiences any of these symptoms, do not assume it is due to GERD. Remember GER is very common in the first year of life. If GER symptoms worsen or don’t improve by 18 months, ask the doctor to re-evaluate your infant.

These symptoms may be caused by other conditions. If your infant has any of these, tell the doctor:

• Vomiting
• Failure to thrive
• Refusal to feed or difficulty feeding
• Irritability or fussiness after feeding
• Arching of back during or after feeding
• Regurgitation or bloody vomit
• Breathing problems
• Difficulty swallowing
• Recurrent pneumonia]]> or respiratory problems
• ]]>Apnea]]> or blue spells (called cyanosis), when not enough blood gets to the lungs
• Cough or wheezing
• Hoarseness
• Disturbed sleep
• Excessive crying

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your baby’s symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Your baby may need to see a pediatric gastroenterologist, a doctor who specializes in gastrointestinal diseases.

Tests may include:

• Upper GI series]]> —a series of x-rays of the upper digestive system taken after drinking a barium solution
• ]]>Upper endoscopy]]> with biopsy—a tube is inserted into esophagus to look at the lining and a piece of tissue is taken for testing
• 24-hour pH monitoring—a probe is placed in the esophagus to keep track of the level of acidity in the lower esophagus
• Short trial of medicine

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for your child. Treatment options include the following:

Your doctor may suggest these lifestyle changes:

• Try a hypoallergenic formula for one to two weeks.
• Provide small, frequent feedings
• Thicken your baby’s formula or milk with rice or cereal.
• Use a different pre-thickened formula.
• Burp your infant more frequently (eg, every one to two hours after being fed).
• Make sure your infant is in an upright position for 30 minutes after being fed.
• Keep a diary of your infant's symptoms.
• Try certain positions when sleeping. These positions depend on your infant's age because of the risk of sudden infant death syndrome]]> .

Making changes to your baby's diet and sleep positions, as well as not exposing him to second-hand smoke, can improve symptoms. ]]>*¹]]>

Prevention

While the cause of GERD is largely unknown, you can take steps to control the condition in your infant by:

• Following the lifestyle and dietary changes
• Avoiding second-hand smoke
• Keeping a diary of your infant's symptoms