What is pediatric GERD? What is the difference between common gastroesophageal reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)? What kinds of problems can GERD cause if left untreated? How does a parent know if their child has GERD? What can a parent do if their child does have GERD? What are the goals and outcomes of treating pediatric GERD? How long does pediatric GERD last, and can it lead to adult GERD later in life? What is pediatric GERD? Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affect more than 60 million adults. Similarly, it also affects infants, young children and adolescents, making it a “common pediatric problem,” according to the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. The condition is caused when acidic contents from the stomach move upward into the esophagus and irritate the lining, potentially causing mild to serious medical complications. [Back To Questions] What is the difference between common gastroesophageal reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)? It is not uncommon for normal infants to fuss or cry intermittently for an average of two hours daily. Some normal infants even experience painless vomiting, appear health and experience normal weight gain – earning them the common moniker “happy spitters.” Recurrent spitting up and/or vomiting, known as gastroesophageal reflux, is a common symptom in infants. It occurs in as many as 50 percent of newborns, up to 67 percent of 4-month-old infants, and 5 percent of 10-to-12 month-old infants. Gastroesophageal reflux is generally considered to be a benign condition but a proportion of these children can have complications that are significant enough to be referred to as a “disease” that qualifies as GERD. It is not uncommon for parents to either not recognize, or simply discount classic symptoms of GERD (recurrent vomiting combined with irritability, disturbed sleep, etc.) and as a result, the child’s physician is not notified of symptoms that should be addressed. [Back To Questions] What kinds of problems can GERD cause if left untreated? In addition to the obvious frustration caused for children as well as the parents of children with GERD, the condition can also lead to other problems if not addressed, including: Persistent discomfort for the child Burning and scarring of the esophagus Apnea (cessation of breathing) Chronic coughing Worsening of existing asthma symptoms Recurrent pneumonia Poor weight gain, poor growth [Back To Questions] How does a parent know if their child has GERD? As with any medical condition, you should consult your physician. Only your physician can diagnose pediatric GERD. Some of the typical symptoms among infants and children include: Frequent spitting up after meals or in between feedings Frequent hiccups Frequently shows signs of hunger but only feeds for a few minutes due to discomfort Difficulty swallowing Arching the back during feeding Irritability, persistent crying Fussing after feedings Signs of abdominal pain, drawing legs up, arching back Sour burps or bad breath Waking from sound sleep with screaming and/or writhing Poor weight gain, poor growth Wheezing or excessive coughing Resisting all feedings or solid foods [Back To Questions] What can a parent do if their child does have GERD? It is important to note that in some cases, a more serious underlying condition may be causing GERD, requiring additional medical attention. A physician can suggest the appropriate treatment programs for each individual child. Some common options include: Changes in diet. Infants may benefit from a diet that includes formula thickened with rice cereal, other thickening agents or the use of a hypo-allergenic formula. It is important to consult with your physician if you thicken formula as other considerations may come into play (changes in bottle nipples to increase flow for thicker formula, being aware of and adjusting for increases in coughing during feeding, etc.) Older children may benefit from eliminating foods that are highly acidic or irritating (chocolate, caffeine, tomatoes, orange juice, etc.). Changes in positioning. Keeping the child in a different position during feeding, and placing the child in a different position after meals as well asduring sleep, as prescribed by your physician, may help reduce symptoms. Infants may experience less reflux when placed in the prone position (on their stomachs), vs. the supine (on their backs). However, use of the prone positioning must be evaluated in light of current recognition that infants in the prone positioning are at higher risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) than those in the supine position. Parents should discuss sleeping position for their infant with a health care professional. Treatment options. There are a number of over-the-counter and prescription medicines available that can be used in children. Ask your physician about other treatment choices. [Back To Questions] What are the goals and outcomes of treating pediatric GERD? The main objectives are to relieve the child’s symptoms, maintain normal growth, heal any resulting inflammation of the esophagus, and prevent other, more serious complications that might occur as a result of the disease. [Back To Questions] How long does pediatric GERD last, and can it lead to adult GERD later in life? While pediatric GERD does resolve in most children, some do experience the disease throughout childhood. Research indicates that children who experience GERD maybe at risk for developing the disease again later in life. [Back To Questions] Click here for more information on treatment options for pediatric GERD.

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