What are the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux in children?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease in children is relatively common in our lives. It mainly occurs in children and the elderly. It is caused by abnormalities in the digestive system. Therefore, we recommend that patients should pay more attention to their diet problems. When it comes to gastroesophageal reflux in children, we should have a certain understanding of its symptoms in life so that we can prevent its occurrence.

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.

Through this article’s introduction to the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux in children, I believe you all should know what the symptoms are. We should control the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux in children in a timely manner, pay more attention to their balanced diet, and eat more easily digestible foods to avoid worsening of the disease.