Acid Reflux in Children
Updated May 21, 2013.
Almost all children have a little bit of reflux, often without being aware of it. If the refluxed material returns to the stomach quickly, it doesn't harm the esophagus, and there may be no symptoms. There are some children, however, who experience acid reflux more often, and the refluxed contents remain in the esophagus long enough to cause symptoms and possible damage to the esophageal lining. In other children, the stomach contents go up to the mouth and are swallowed again. Because children, and even infants, can suffer from acid reflux, knowing what to look for is important.
Spitting up, or gastroesophageal reflux, is common in infants. This typeof gastric reflux occurs during the first few months of age in morethan half of all infants. When parents burp their babies, sometimes "wetburps" occur, which means some formula is refluxed. This spitting up isnormal, and gradually decreases over the first year of life. Itgenerally requires no evaluation unless there is evidence of additionalproblems, such as esophagitis or failure to thrive. For a small number of babies, however, symptomsof reflux are severe or don't decrease as the infant grows older, andmedical evaluation is needed.
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Under normal conditions, food passes through the esophagus, and themuscle at the bottom of your esophagus closes off so food and liquidswill remain in your stomach. This muscle is the lower esophagealsphincter (LES). When the LES doesn't close properly, stomach contents and acid can back up into the esophagus.
This reflux often begins in infancy, but a small number of infantscontinue to have problems as older children. Evaluation by a physicianis advised for any child or adolescent with persistent symptoms.
More »
While chronic heartburn and GERD are often considered to be adultdisorders, it is becoming more common among children and teens. Becauseof the increasing consumption of fast food and ever-expanding waistlinesamong teens, GERD is becoming an increasing problem in teenagers.
More »
Almost all children have a little bit of reflux, often without being aware of it. If the refluxed material returns to the stomach quickly, it doesn't harm the esophagus, and there may be no symptoms. There are some children, however, who experience acid reflux more often, and the refluxed contents remain in the esophagus long enough to cause symptoms and possible damage to the esophageal lining. In other children, the stomach contents go up to the mouth and are swallowed again. Because children, and even infants, can suffer from acid reflux, knowing what to look for is important.
Acid Reflux in Babies
Spitting up, or gastroesophageal reflux, is common in infants. This typeof gastric reflux occurs during the first few months of age in morethan half of all infants. When parents burp their babies, sometimes "wetburps" occur, which means some formula is refluxed. This spitting up isnormal, and gradually decreases over the first year of life. Itgenerally requires no evaluation unless there is evidence of additionalproblems, such as esophagitis or failure to thrive. For a small number of babies, however, symptomsof reflux are severe or don't decrease as the infant grows older, andmedical evaluation is needed.
More »
Acid Reflux in Children
Under normal conditions, food passes through the esophagus, and themuscle at the bottom of your esophagus closes off so food and liquidswill remain in your stomach. This muscle is the lower esophagealsphincter (LES). When the LES doesn't close properly, stomach contents and acid can back up into the esophagus.
This reflux often begins in infancy, but a small number of infantscontinue to have problems as older children. Evaluation by a physicianis advised for any child or adolescent with persistent symptoms.
More »
Acid Reflux in Teens
While chronic heartburn and GERD are often considered to be adultdisorders, it is becoming more common among children and teens. Becauseof the increasing consumption of fast food and ever-expanding waistlinesamong teens, GERD is becoming an increasing problem in teenagers.
More »
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