Gastroesophageal reflux in infants

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Digestive system

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Gastroesophageal reflux in infants

Alternative Names:

Chalasia; GE reflux; Reflux - infants

Treatment:

If your baby has reflux problems, prop him or her upright for one to two hours after feeding. This can be helped by use of a reflux board. When the infant begins to eat solid food, thickened foods are preferable to thin foods. Sometimes medications are used to help reduce symptoms, including antacids or Reglan (a prescription medication that improves peristalsis).

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:

Esophageal irritation and inflammation
Esophageal stricture (scarring and narrowing)
Pneumonia caused by stomach contents passing into the lungs

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.

Review Date: 11/10/2004
Reviewed By: Christian Stone, M.D., Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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