What Are the Treatments for Children's GERD?
It can be hard to tell if your child has GERD, but according to Webgerd.com vomiting is a very prominent sign of this condition in infants. Also according to Webgerd 50 percent of infants experience constant vomiting in the first three months of lives, although this will peak around month four. Symptoms of GERD in older children are heartburn, chest pain, anemia, hematemesis, and vomiting.
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What is GERD?
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GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease, and it is a condition that causes food and liquids to back up into the esophagus from the stomach. The irritation from this may cause heartburn and nausea.
Feeding Changes
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If your infant has been diagnosed with GERD you may be required to eliminate cow's milk form their diet. Replacing this milk with Enfamil or Similac formulas may reduce instances of reflux and vomiting. Holding your infant's head up while feeding him and 20 to 30 minutes afterwards will help decrease this as well.
Breastfeeding Infants with GERD
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According to Webgerd breastfed babies show less severe reflux episodes than those that are bottle fed. Breast milk is easier to digest and is emptied from the baby's belly twice as fast. You will not have to thicken the breast milk.
Proton Pump Inhibitors
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Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are used as a treatment for reoccurring vomiting in infants. They are made to decrease acid secretion which discourages episodes of GERD.
Surgical Options
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For children who have not found relief with general medical therapy, or those who's symptoms return after use, surgery may be an option. However, due to the risks and complications of surgery, it is generally recommended only if the child has developed aspiration pneumonia or other life threatening complications of GERD.
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of D. Sharon Pruitt
