Home
Meet the Team
Locations
About Us
Our Services
Pediatric Cardiology
Article Manager
Health Links
FAQ
Find a Form
Contact Us
How Are We Doing?

PDX Articles

Back to Health Library   Print This Page Print    Email to a Friend Email

Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER)

What is gastroesophageal reflux?
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) also known as regurgitation, emesis, vomiting, spitting up, wet burp - occurs when some of the stomach contents flow up into the food pipe (esophagus). It might come out of the mouth or flow back down into the stomach. It can be as simple as an occasional wet burp; it can be as severe as persistent vomiting with failure to thrive or recurrent apnea.

What causes GER?
Normally, the lower esophageal sphincter prevents reflux of stomach contents; sometimes,t he sphincter relaxes and allows stomach contents to reflux upward. All infants and children reflux occasionally. Half of the infants less than 3 months of age reflux at least once a day. This is considered normal physiologic reflux and causes no significant problems.

Reflux is considered pathological if it is frequent, in large amounts, or causes problems. Pathological reflux can cause many complications, such as painful esophagitis due to stomach acids repeatedly flowing into the esophagus, malnutrition, failure to gain weight, or breathing problems due to stomach contents entering the nose, trachea, or lungs. Infants at highest risk for pathological reflux include:
  • Premature infants
  • Infants with respiratory problems (like BPD)
  • Infants with central nervous system disorders
  • Infants who have survived an acute life-threatening event
How do we diagnose GER?
Reflux can be diagnosed by the signs and symptoms above. However, some infants with GER do not vomit, making the diagnosis more difficult. Infants might have unexplained crying or apnea around feedings. Some babies may exhibit wheezing or hoarseness due to an irritation of the upper airway structures. Aspiration of stomach contents into the lungs can cause breathing difficulties or even pneumonia (infection of the lungs).

How do we treat GER?
If GER is suspected, one of several different treatments can be used. These include:
  • small frequent feedings
  • changing the formula
  • giving the feedings very slowly
  • thickening the feedings
  • elevating the head of the bed
  • giving certain medications
What are the long term effects of GER?
The majority of infants with mild to moderate reflux are symptom-free by 1 year of age. 65% of infants with severe reflux are symptom-free by 2 years of age. Rarely, surgery might be indicated for extreme cases of severe reflux that fail to respond to treatment. This surgery is called a fundoplication and involves wrapping the upper portion of the stomach around the lower portion of the esophagus.

Search Our Site


Privacy Policy | Copyright | Terms and Conditions | Site Map | Linking Policy