GERD in Children
Recent studies* show that GERD is common and often overlooked in infants and children. It can cause repeated vomiting, coughing and other respiratory problems. Children's immature digestive systems are usually to blame, and most infants grow out of GERD by the time they are 1 year old. Still, you should talk to your child's doctor if the problem occurs regularly and causes discomfort. Your doctor may recommend simple strategies for avoiding reflux, like burping the infant several times during feeding or keeping the infant in an upright position for 30 minutes after feeding. If your child is older, the doctor may recommend avoiding
• sodas that contain caffeine • chocolate and peppermint • spicy foods like pizza • acid foods like oranges or tomatoes • fried and fatty foods
Avoiding food 2 to 3 hours before bed also may help. The doctor may recommend that the child sleep with head raised. If these changes do not work, the doctor may prescribe medicine for your child. In rare cases, a child may need surgery. *Nelson SP, Chen EH, Syniar GM, Christoffel KK. Prevalence of symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux during infancy. Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. 1997;151:569-572.
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