Gastroesophageal reflux

It is an affection in which the contents of the stomach go towards the esophagus instead of continuing its way through the intestine.

It is a sittuation common in babies younger than six months. In most cases it does not cause problems or cause discomfort in the baby. In this case it is called "Physiological Gastroesophageal Reflux." The child gains weight and grows properly.

When reflux is so frequent and important that affects the growth and health of the baby It is called "Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease."

Causes

In infants it is normal for them to have a some degree of gastroesophageal reflux, since the muscles that close the entrance to the stomach (cardia) are immature. In these cases, with the growth and maturity of the child, the reflux will resolve without problems.

Persistent reflux with frequent vomiting causes irritation of the esophagus () that causes discomfort to the baby. The reflux that produces pain, discomfort, weight loss, or asthma it has to be studied and dealt with.

Symptoms

The symptoms of reflux disease gastroesophageal can be:

• Intense crying after feedings and irritability (there are children who refuse to eat)
• Threw up
• Chronic cough
• Wheezing (asthma)
• Apneas
• Weightloss
• Slow growth

In gastroesophageal reflux disease, the baby's esophagus is damaged by stomach acids. The esophagitis causes very significant pain, so they reject food or cry intensely after taking it; They have difficulty feeding because it is difficult for them to swallow. All these problems cause the child not to grow properly and lose weight.

The irritation of the esophagus can lead to bleeding slight but constant in the digestive mucosa that can cause anemia and iron deficiency.

Since the stomach and trachea are close together, reflux can cause part of the stomach contents to pass into the esophagus and be sucked into the trachea; this can, recurrent laryngitis, apneas and hoarseness.

In some children we can see neurobehavioral alterations such as (the regurgitated food is chewed back into the mouth to swallow it again) and Sandifer syndrome: it is an intermittent spasm of the neck muscles (like a torticollis) during the taking of food in children with gastroesophageal reflux.

Diagnosis

When it is suspected that the baby has gastroesophageal reflux different tests can be performed:

• X-ray of the esophagus and stomach with contrast: the child is given a porridge containing a substance that can be seen on X-rays. A series of X-rays are taken in which the path of food through the esophagus and stomach is observed.
• : Using a tube that is anchored in the esophagus, it is determined how often and for how long stomach acids reach the esophagus.

Treatment

A series of rules in food to give the greatest well-being to the baby suffering from this situation:

• Keep it upright for 20 to 30 minutes after the feedings.
• From four months, thicken the bottles.
• Feed little but often
• There are special anti-regurgitation milks and medications that help improve symptoms. They should always be recommended and prescribed by the Pediatrician.