What is infant gastroesophageal reflux? Symptoms of the disease?

Gastroesophageal reflux is a condition when the contents of a baby’s stomach back up and back up into the esophagus. When this condition occurs in infants, we call it infant GERD. Join Tnhelearning.edu.vn for information you need to know about gastroesophageal reflux disease in babies!

What is infant gastroesophageal reflux?

Infants can develop GERD when food, milk, gastric juices, or bile salts back up from the stomach into the esophagus. Fortunately, in the majority of cases, the condition subsides as the child gets older and is less common by the time he turns 18 months old. However, if the condition persists, it could be a sign of a serious problem.

What is infant gastroesophageal reflux?

Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in infants

Infants with gastroesophageal reflux do not need to worry, but when the stomach has an irritating acid, the child will feel uncomfortable burning pain, have unusual symptoms on the throat and esophagus.

In case of any of the following unusual symptoms, the child should be seen by a doctor:

• No weight gain.
• Frequent crying.
• Vomiting a lot.
• Green or yellow liquid vomit.
• The vomit contains blood or other ingredients that look like coffee grounds.
• There is blood in the stool.
• Shortness of breath or chronic cough.
• Abnormal arousal after eating.

Children with gastroesophageal reflux disease

Diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease in infants

Diagnose

If the baby is growing normally and there are no abnormalities, the doctor does not need to perform a physical examination. However, if abnormalities are present, your doctor may recommend testing to make an accurate diagnosis.

• Ultrasound: This imaging test can detect pyloric stenosis, diverticulum, or duodenal septum…
• Blood and urine tests: This can help identify or rule out a possible cause of recurrent vomiting and no weight gain.
• Esophageal pH measurement: Helps the doctor measure the acidity in the child’s esophagus. The doctor uses a thin tube through the nose or mouth and into the esophagus. These tubes are attached to the acidity monitor.
• Contrast X-rays: These images can detect abnormalities in the digestive tract, such as an obstruction. Your child will be given contrast fluid (barium) to help monitor the process more clearly.
• Colonoscopy: The doctor will use a special tube with a camera on the probe and pass it through the mouth and esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine.

Diagnose the disease early to solve it completely

Treatment

Gastroesophageal reflux in infants usually resolves on its own as the child gets older. Parents should take the following measures to help limit reflux:

• Feed your child smaller meals and space them out every 2.5-3 hours
• Help your child burp after each meal.
• Head high after each meal for 20-30 minutes.
• Eliminate dairy products, beef or eggs from the diet if allergies are suspected.
• Switch to hypoallergenic formula if you suspect your baby is allergic to cow’s milk.
• Use the right pacifier for the child’s age. A nipple that is too large or too small can also interfere with your baby’s swallowing of air or food.

The use of medication for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux in infants is not routinely recommended. However, for children with signs such as poor weight gain, esophagitis, chronic asthma, the use of medication is still considered. However, drug use can affect calcium and iron absorption and increase the risk of intestinal and respiratory infections.

Surgery is used for children with severe GERD, but this is a rare occurrence. Surgery will tighten the lower esophageal sphincter to prevent acid reflux.

Children should be taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment

Hopefully the above article has helped you better understand gastroesophageal reflux disease in babies and how to handle them. Don’t forget to follow Tnhelearning.edu.vn to regularly update useful information for life!

Reference source: Vinmec health website

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