Digestive Diseases: GERD in Infants and Children

• What causes GERD in infants and children?
• What are the symptoms of GERD in infants and children?
• Will my baby outgrow infantile GERD?
• How is GERD in infants and children diagnosed?
• What are the treatments for acid reflux in infants and children?
• Medications for GERD
• Surgery for GERD

It is common for infants to spit up after a meal, but frequent vomiting among infants may be caused by GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), the upward movement of stomach content, including acid, into the esophagus and sometimes into or out of the mouth. Older children also can be affected.

What Causes GERD in Infants and Children?

Most of the time, reflux in infants is due to a poorly coordinated gastrointestinal tract. Many infants with the condition are otherwise healthy; however, some infants can have problems affecting their nerves, brain or muscles.

In older children, the causes of GERD are often the same as those seen in adults. Anything that causes the muscular valve between the stomach and esophagus (the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES) to relax, or anything that increases the pressure below the LES, can cause GERD.

Certain factors also may contribute to GERD, including: obesity, overeating, certain foods, some beverages, and specific medications. There also appears to be an inherited component to GERD, as it is more common in some families than in others.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

Upper Endoscopy (EGD) - Learn about the endoscopy procedure which examines the esophagus, stomach and duodenum to detect gastrointestinal and digestive disorders on MedicineNet.com Source:MedicineNet Gastric Emptying Study - Information on gastric emptying study test procedure includes how and when gastric emptying study is used, evaluation of the test results, and side effects. Source:MedicineNet Upper GI Series - Source:MedicineNet Read 26 more GERD in Infants and Children related articles ... New PET Scanner Could Improve Diagnosis Too Many Babies Take Anti-Reflux Drugs FDA OKs Nexium for Kids 1-11