Definition

Gastroesophageal reflux is a condition in which stomach contents travels backward from the stomach to the esophagus, rather than down through the digestive system. This article discusses reflux in infants.

Alternative Names

Reflux - infants

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

In infants, a small amount of gastroesophageal reflux is normal. Persistent reflux with frequent vomiting leads to irritation of the esophagus. Reflux associated with weight loss or reflux that causes breathing difficulty is considered abnormal.

Symptoms

• Chronic cough
• Excessive crying as if in pain
• Excessive vomiting during the first few weeks of life
• Extremely forceful vomiting
• No breathing or breath-holding spells
• Slow growth
• Weight loss
• Wheezing

Signs and tests

The baby may have a history of breathing in foods or fluids into the lungs, leading to aspiration pneumonia.

Tests that may be done include:

• Esophageal pH monitoring to determine how often and for how long stomach acid enters the esophagus
• X-ray of the esophagus

Treatment

If your baby has reflux problems, hold him or her upright for 1 to 2 hours after feeding.

When the infant begins to eat solid food, thickened foods are preferable to thin foods.

Sometimes medicines are used to help reduce symptoms, such as antacids or a prescription drug called metoclopramide (Reglan).

Support Groups

Expectations (prognosis)

The majority of infants outgrow this condition. In unusual cases, reflux may persist into childhood and can cause varying degrees of esophageal damage.

Complications

• Aspiration pneumonia caused by stomach contents passing into the lungs
• Irritation and swelling of the esophagus
• Scarring and narrowing of the esophagus

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if your baby is vomiting frequently, especially if the vomiting is forceful or if other symptoms of reflux occur.

Prevention

Hold your baby upright for some time after meals. Hold your baby upright for some time after meals.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process, and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch.)

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. ©1997-2008 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.