Acid reflux (Infant)
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Acid reflux (Infant) Overview
Infant reflux occurs when a baby regurgitates liquid or food, which happens when stomach contents move back up into the esophagus—a muscular tube connecting the mouth to the stomach.
It's common for healthy infants to experience reflux multiple times a day. Typically referred to as gastroesophageal reflux (GER), this condition diminishes as the baby grows older, often fading by 18 months.
However, in rare instances, infant reflux can lead to weight loss or delayed growth, indicating underlying medical concerns such as allergies, digestive blockages, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a severe form of reflux with potential health implications.
Symptoms
In most cases, infant reflux isn't alarming and doesn't lead to symptoms caused by acidic irritation of the throat or esophagus.
When to Seek Medical Advice
Consult your baby's healthcare provider if your baby:
- Fails to gain weight.
- Regularly experiences forceful spitting up (projectile vomiting).
- Spits up green or yellow fluid, blood, or material resembling coffee grounds.
- Refuses to feed or eat.
- Shows signs of blood in the stool.
- Struggles to breathe or has a persistent cough.
- Begins spitting up after six months of age.
- Appears unusually irritable or lacks energy after eating.
Causes
In infants, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)—the muscle between the esophagus and stomach—may not be fully developed, allowing stomach contents to reflux into the esophagus. Typically, the LES matures over time, opening during swallowing and staying closed at other times to prevent reflux.
Risk Factors
Premature birth, lung conditions like cystic fibrosis, nervous system disorders such as cerebral palsy, and prior esophageal surgeries increase the likelihood of infant reflux.
Complications
Infant reflux often resolves without intervention and doesn't pose significant problems. However, if GERD develops, a baby's growth may lag behind peers. Research suggests that frequent spitting up in infancy may correlate with a higher risk of GERD later in childhood.
