Description

Infant reflux is when a baby spits up liquid or food. This occurs when the stomach contents move a baby from the stomach into the esophagus. The esophagus is the muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.

The reflux occur in babies many times in a day. If your baby is content and growing well, the reflux is not a cause for concern. It is sometimes called gastroesophageal reflux disease, also called GER, the condition is less common for the baby to grow. It is unusual for babies reflux to continue after age 18 months.

Rarely, infantile reflux leads to weight loss, or growth that remains behind that of other children of the same age and sex. These symptoms may mean that your baby has a medical problem. This issue could be an allergy, a blockage in the digestive system or gastroesophageal reflux disease, also called GERD. GERD is a form of GER, which causes serious health problems.

Symptoms

Most of the time, infant reflux is not a cause for concern. It is not usual that the contents of the stomach has enough acid to the irritation of the throat or the esophagus and cause symptoms.

When to see a doctor

Consult a health professional if a baby:

  • Is not gaining weight.
  • Constantly spits out with force, causing the contents of the stomach to shoot out of the mouth. This is called projectile vomiting.
  • Spits up green or yellow liquid.
  • Spits blood or stomach contents that look like coffee grounds.
  • Refuses to eat or eat.
  • You have blood in the stool.
  • You have difficulty breathing, or cough that does not go away.
  • Starts spitting at the age of 6 months or more.
  • It is very irritable after eating.
  • You do not have a lot of power.

Some of these signs may mean a serious, but treatable conditions. These include GERD, or an obstruction in the digestive tract.

Causes

In infants, the ring of muscle between the esophagus and the stomach is not fully developed. This muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter, also known as LES. When the FILE is not fully developed, it allows the stomach contents to flow back up into the esophagus. Over time, the FILES are normally mature. Opens when the baby swallows and stays closed at other times, maintaining the contents of the stomach to which they belong.

Some of the factors that contribute to infants with reflux are common in infants and often can't be avoided. These include lying most of the time and being passed almost entirely on a liquid diet.

Sometimes, the baby reflux can be caused by more serious conditions, such as:

  • The GERD. The reflux has enough acid to irritate and damage the lining of the esophagus.
  • Pyloric stenosis. A muscular valve allows food to leave the stomach and enter the small intestine as part of digestion. In pyloric stenosis, the valve thickens and becomes larger than it should be. The thickening of the valve, then the traps of the food in the stomach and prevents it from entering the small intestine.
  • The food intolerance. A protein of cow's milk is the most common trigger.
  • Esophagitis eosinophilic. A certain type of white blood cell accumulates and damages the lining of the esophagus. This white blood cell called an eosinophil.
  • The syndrome of Sandifer. This makes the tilt and rotation of the head, which are not usual and the movements that look like seizures. It is a rare complication of GERD.

Risk factors

Infant reflux is common. But there are some things that make it more likely for a baby to have the baby reflux. These include:

  • The preterm birth.
  • Lung conditions such as cystic fibrosis.
  • Conditions that affect the nervous system, such as cerebral palsy.
  • Previous surgery on the esophagus.

Complications

Infant reflux tends to improve their own account. Rarely causes problems for the baby.

If your baby has a more serious condition, such as GERD, the growth of your baby can stay behind that of other children. Some research suggests that babies who have frequent episodes of regurgitation may be more prone to develop GERD later in childhood.

Diagnosis

To diagnose infant reflux, a health professional usually starts with a physical exam and ask questions about a baby symptoms. If the baby is growing as expected, and seems to be content, then, the evidence is generally not necessary. In some cases, however, a health professional may recommend:

  • Ultrasound. This imaging test can detect pyloric stenosis.
  • The laboratory tests. Blood and urine tests can help find or rule out possible causes of poor weight gain and vomiting that happens often.
  • Esophageal pH monitoring. To measure the acidity of a baby's esophagus, the healthcare provider puts a thin tube through the baby's nose or mouth and into the esophagus. The tube is connected to a device that controls the acidity. A baby may need to stay in the hospital, while being supervised.
  • The x-rays. These images can detect problems in the digestive tract, such as a lock. A baby can be given a liquid contrast with a bottle before the test. This liquid is usually barium.
  • The upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. An upper endoscopy uses a tiny camera on the end of a flexible tube called an endoscope to visually examine your upper digestive system. The tissue samples can be taken for analysis. For babies and children, endoscopy is usually performed under general anesthesia. General anesthesia causes a sleeplike state before a surgery or other medical procedures.

Treatment

For most babies, you make some changes in the diet facilitates infant reflux until it gets better on its own.

Medications

Reflux medications that do not normally used in children to treat the reflux that is not complicated. But a health care provider may recommend a medication to block the acid for several weeks or months. Acid-blocking medications include cimetidine (Tagamet HB), famotidine (Pepcid AC), and magnesium omeprazole (Prilosec). Your child's healthcare provider may recommend a medication to block the acid if your baby:

  • It has little weight gain and diet changes have not worked.
  • He refuses to eat.
  • You have an inflammation, irritation of the esophagus.
  • Has chronic asthma.

Surgery

Rarely, a baby may need surgery. This is only done if a baby is not gaining enough weight or have trouble breathing due to reflux. During the surgery, the FILES between the esophagus and the stomach is tightened. This prevents the acid to flow back up into the esophagus.

Lifestyle and home remedies

To minimize reflux:

  • Feed your baby in an upright position. Then, hold your baby in a sitting position for 30 minutes after feeding. Gravity can help the stomach contents of the stay to which they belong. Be careful not to push or shake your baby, while the food is settling.
  • Try smaller, more frequent feeding. Feed your baby with a little less than normal if you're bottle-feeding, or cut a little bit of time nursing.
  • Take time to burp your baby. Frequent burps during and after feeding can keep air from building up in the stomach of his baby.
  • Put the baby to sleep on the back. Most babies should be placed on their backs to sleep, even if they have reflux.

Please note that the infant reflux is usually a cause for concern. Just keep a lot of bibs hand while you wait for your baby's reflux to stop.

Preparing for your appointment

You can start by seeing your baby's primary health care team. Or you may be referred to a specialist in children with diseases of the digestive system, called a pediatric gastroenterologist.

What you can do

When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do beforehand. Make a list of:

  • Your baby's symptoms, including those that do not seem to be related to the reason your baby's appointment.
  • Key personal information, including major stresses, recent life changes and family medical history.
  • All medications, vitamins or other supplements that the baby is taking, including the dosage.
  • Questions to ask your baby's healthcare team.
  • Caregivers and how to feed your baby.

Have a friend or family member, if possible, to help you remember the information they give you.

For babies reflux, some basic questions to ask include:

  • What is likely causing my baby's symptoms?
  • Other that the most likely cause, what are other possible causes for my baby symptoms?
  • What tests does my baby need?
  • Is my baby's condition likely temporary or chronic?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • What are the alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
  • My baby has other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • Are there restrictions I need to follow to my baby?
  • Should I take my baby to a specialist?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What sites do you recommend?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

You'll likely be asked a few questions, such as:

  • When did your baby start of symptoms?
  • Have your baby's symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • How bad are your baby's symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your baby's condition?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your condition of the baby?

What you can do in the meantime

Avoid doing anything that seems to worsen your baby's symptoms.

Symptoms and treatment of reflux in Child