Signs of GERD in Children
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a chronic digestive condition that can effect children as well as adults. Spitting up is common in infants, but frequent vomiting can be a sign of GERD, according to WebMD.
-
Function
-
GERD is caused by stomach acid or bile reflux, or backward flow, into the esophagus where it irritates the esophogeal lining, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Significance
-
Infants can experience GERD due to an immature and poorly coordinated digestive tract, according to WebMD. Usually they grow out of it by the time they are one year old.
-
Symptoms
-
Frequent vomiting, heartburn, gas, frequent coughing, abdominal pain and difficulty eating are common symptoms of GERD in infants and children, according to WebMD.
Diagnosis
-
GERD can be diagnosed in children by X-raying the digestive tract after swallowing barium, using a pH probe to measure the levels of stomach acid, doing an endoscopy that allows a doctor to see the inside of the digestive tract or by conducting a gastric emptying study that utilizes a radioactive drink and a special camera, according to WebMD.
Prevention/Solution
-
GERD can be treated in infants and children by changing eating habits and by using pharmaceutical drugs to fight gas and reduce stomach acid, according to WebMD.
-
