Gastroesophageal reflux is the passage of food content into the oesophagus. It is a physiological process that occurs several times a day in healthy infants, children and adults. Sometimes infants develop so-called physiological reflux, which passes spontaneously by about 14 months of age.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD - gastroesophageal reflux disease - involves the passage of food into the oesophagus and histological changes to the oesophagus.
Gastroesophageal reflux - Symptoms and course
Typical symptoms in infants include:
- ulewania,
- problems with eating,
- poor weight gain,
- recurrent respiratory infections.
Diagnosis is confirmed by pH-metry and endoscopy. Gastro-oesophageal reflux can cause food aversion and low growth in young children.
When to go to the doctor and treat
Whenever vomiting with bile or blood, difficulty breathing, lack of weight gain occur, a doctor should be contacted.
Gastroesophageal reflux - Treatment
In infants and children under 2 years of age, overfeeding should be avoided. If the child is fed a milk mixture, thickeners such as : 1 tablespoon of rice flakes per 30 ml of mixture. You can try introducing hypoallergenic mixes.
Up to 30 minutes after a meal, the baby should not fall asleep. Tight nappies, elastic pull-ups that can put additional pressure on the stomach and exposure to smoke should be avoided.
