What
is GERD (Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease)?
Gastro-Esophageal
Reflux Disease or better known as just ‘reflux’
or ‘GERD’ is when the contents of the
stomach start pushing or splashing back up the esophagus
or into the nose and throat. At first, this is nothing
more then slightly annoying to the child. As the reflux
continues, the lining of the esophagus begins to get
irritated. Imagine what you feel like when you’re
sick and vomit several times-your throat is sore and
you don’t feel like eating or drinking. In the
child’s case, they are not sick; they get hungry
and thirsty as normal but eating/drinking causes much
discomfort.
What
causes GERD?
The
exact cause of reflux is unknown. Doctors believe
it is caused by an uncoordinated upper G.I or under
developed GI system. Doctors also believe there is
some genetic factor in play. This doesn’t mean
if you’ve had a child with reflux, all your
children will have it.
The
reason some believe reflux may be passed off as colic
is by the major symptom. Colicky babies cry. They
cry hard and can cry for long periods of time. This
cry seems very painful with no obvious reason. A baby
who has reflux will often cry and cry hard. The cry
is that of pain. Like some colicky babies, a reflux
child will seem very eager to eat, only to become
very upset right after they start eating.
Symptoms
of GERD
Reflux
children often times have several symptoms. Many doctors
make the reflux diagnosis without performing any tests
but several tests are available.
Reflux
infants will generally show a few, if not all of the
following symptoms:
Frequent
spitting up- While spit-up is normal in infants, spit-up
that happens frequently-specifically long after they’ve
eaten is a symptom of reflux.
Slow
or no weight gain- Since many reflux children spit-up
or vomit frequently, much nutrition is lost. Reflux
children, due to the distress eating causes, will
tend to eat less frequently. Less intake= less weight
gain.
A
chronic cough or wheezing- Since fluids are almost
constantly back splashing-especially in areas like
the nose and throat, reflux children tend to have
a noticeable moist cough and wheezing.
Re-occurring
bouts of pneumonia- The back splashing of fluids in
your child’s tiny body can lead to some fluids
entering the lungs. When this happens infection settles
in and turns into pneumonia. If reflux is left untreated,
pneumonia can return.
The
tests mentioned before to diagnose reflux/GERD:
- An Upper GI series
- A
Milk Scan- Similar to an upper GI series but with
this test, any damage that has occurred from the
reflux can be diagnosed.
- Ph
Probe
Treatments
for GERD
There
are several treatments available for your child. Some
doctors suggest adding about 1 tsp. of rice cereal
to formula to help thicken it up.
Instead
of laying your baby down after meals, consider propping
them up in their car seat for at least thirty minutes.
This should help cut down on the occurrence of esophageal
back splash.
Raise
the crib mattress to elevate you child’s head
while they are sleeping. This may aide in keeping
the fluids from coming back up into your child’s
throat.
Some
doctor’s suggest allowing your baby to actually
sleep in their car seat or infant swing. Talk to your
doctor, as this could be a potential breathing danger,
especially in premature infants.
Continue
breastfeeding your child. Breast milk has been known
to be less irritating to a child’s throat.
Offer
smaller, more frequent meals. Having less in their
stomachs decreases the chance of back splashing. The
frequency may offer some relief for the irritated
throat.
There
are some medications available by prescription. Some
doctors also prescribe some OTC antacids like Mylanta.
Please talk to your child’s doctor before giving
them any medication.
There
is a surgery available if the reflux is severe enough.
The procedure is called Nissen Fundoplication. With
this procedure, a valve is created at the top of the
stomach by wrapping a portion of the stomach around
the esophagus.
The
good news is: 90% of all children out grow reflux/GERD.
Again, this is believed to be caused by an underdeveloped
upper GI system. As the child grows and becomes more
mobile, the symptoms should subside. Some doctors
recommend limiting or avoiding spicy and acidic foods
until the child is around two years of age.
There
are online support groups available if you would like
to chat with other parents who are experiencing reflux/GERD
in their children. JustMommies.com has an active online
community which includes a forum just for that purpose.
You can join the discussion right now by visiting:
GER-
Reflux message board
©
Rebecca Pillar 2007
