What are the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux in children?

Esophageal reflux disease is uncommon in children. In my country, only 3% of children will have symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, most of which are manifested by spitting up milk, vomiting, and nausea. Children will cry to tell their parents whether there is something wrong with their bodies. Careful parents will find that their babies often spit up milk, so they will suspect that their children have gastroesophageal reflux, which makes many parents worried and anxious. So what are the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux in children?

Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and treatment in infants

Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in infants

Gastroesophageal reflux in infants is uncommon, occurring in only 3% of infants. If your baby spits up a lot, you might suspect he has gastroesophageal reflux. But it depends on the specific situation.

Gastroesophageal reflux is usually the result of a weak or erratic esophageal sphincter, which is the valve that connects the food pipe (esophagus) to the stomach. It's normal for a baby to burp something after each feed for no apparent reason or warning, or even occasionally to spit out the entire feed. This is a characteristic of the baby's digestive system.

However, if your baby is distressed, vomits every few minutes, or frequently vomits more than twice a day, he may have gastroesophageal reflux. Gastroesophageal reflux is the frequent upwelling of food being digested in the stomach. It can make the baby irritable and prevent him from eating properly. In the most severe cases, wheezing, coughing, and vomiting may also occur. If your baby has GERD, you will definitely notice it because you may have become fed up with his tantrums and cries long before they occur.

Most babies with GERD will get better on their own by the time they are 1 year old as their esophageal sphincter becomes stronger. But this doesn't mean you can take gastroesophageal reflux lightly. Reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus (known as "heartburn" in adults) can cause pain in the throat, scarring, and, if GERD is severe, even difficulty swallowing. Some babies even lose their appetite because of the pain.

In addition, the harm that GERD can cause to your and your baby's mental health may be the most serious, even if it is only temporary. Normally, you already have to get up 2-3 times a night to tend to your baby. Imagine how long you could last if you had to get up 5-6 times a night to comfort and clean up a cranky, distressed child.

Some parents like to judge their children's physical condition based on their symptoms and manifestations. For example, they like to judge whether their children have gastroesophageal reflux symptoms based on the spitting up of newborns. First of all, we need to understand that every child has sudden conditions. For example, if they eat too much milk or are choked, they may spit up milk. The symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux are relatively rare and generally will not occur in children.