It is well known that for babies acid reflux is a common problem. It is also known that they spit up a lot. This problem, infant acid reflux is also known as gastroesophageal reflux. Many studies that were done proved the fact that more than half of the babies experience reflux in the first months of life.
In most of the cases the reflux will occur right after the baby is fed but it can also happen when the baby cries or coughs. Probably this situation is much more difficult to handle for you as a parent because children are usually happy and healthy even if they spit up pretty often.
This common problem solves from itself by the ages 12 to 18 months. Until that period many factors might help to keep the reflux under control. Among these factors we might remember the changes in feeding technique, smaller and more frequent feedings or interrupting feedings to burp.
Medication for infant acid reflux is recommended only in a few and more complicated cases.
The most common and classic sign of infant acid reflux is spitting up. Along with this condition there is the possibility for poor feeding or irritability.
The main cause for infant acid reflux is the age. At a normal person the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach will open only when you are swallowing and closes right after. Until this muscle matures your child's stomach content might occasionally flow up the esophagus. Another cause might be the bubbles in the esophagus that will push the liquid out of your baby's mouth.
As we said before infant acid reflux is a normal condition and you only have to ask for medical help in the following situations: when your child is not getting weight, when he spits up forcefully, spits more than a tablespoon or two at a time, spits up green or brown fluid, resists feeding, looks hungry between feedings, has other signs of illness such as fever, diarrhea or difficulty breathing or develops a chronically hoarse voice.
Diagnosing an infant is usually done after monitoring its symptoms and after a physical exam. Supplementary tests are needed only if your doctor believes that the child might develop a more serious condition such as GERD. In these cases the diagnostic tests may include lab tests, esophageal pH monitoring, upper GI series or upper endoscopy.
The most common treatments used for this condition are h2 blockers, ranitidine or proton pump inhibitors.
What Are The Statistics?
Studies show that on babies with acid reflux, 50 percent of all infants have acid reflux during the first 2 to 3 months of life. Most of the time, infants experience the condition after feeding. In other cases however, an infant may experience reflux while crying, straining, or coughing.
Generally, infants with acid reflux are not necessarily irritated or unhappy. In fact, many infants who have acid reflux are healthy and happy. Almost all infants will no longer have acid reflux after 12 to 18 months. However, there are a few who may continue to show signs and symptoms of acid reflux after 18 months and so may require medical attention.
Why Do Infants Get Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux in general is often a natural occurrence. Our body will sometimes produce more acid in the stomach than needed, and this can be caused by several reasons. For instance, when we eat considerably more than usual in one sitting, our body will try to process the large amount of food we just consumed by secreting more acid. Acid may therefore build up in the stomach and cause us to regurgitate. Since babies tend to be lying down most of the time or fall asleep after feeding, some acid may end up in the esophagus.
What Happens If The Condition Isn't Treated?
If there is anything common between acid reflux in infant and in an adult, it is that in both cases, the condition can worsen if left untreated. Acid reflux can continue to progress especially in infants that experience reflux after 18 months. Constant spitting and coughing often characterize common symptoms of infant acid reflux. Sometimes, your baby may also vomit, feed poorly and become irritated.
If your baby continues to experience acid reflux without treatment, accumulation of acid in the stomach may become so bad that he or she will start to develop more serious complications. Since acid reflux involves the acid and enzymes in the stomach and travels up to the esophagus, the areas around those parts of the body can also be negatively affected.
One symptom is that your baby may start having breathing problems because acid can travel to the esophagus and affect the areas around it such as the breast area. Furthermore, your baby may have a bloody stool and experience blood loss due to poor digestive function. A lot of pain can be caused from infant acid reflux, and your baby may continuously show signs of irritability and develop poorly (mainly because of poor feeding).
Your baby may keep spitting up or you may be unable to feed him or her. Many new parents actually experience this during the first few months of caring for their child. Now that you're more familiar with acid reflux in infant, observe if your baby is experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned earlier and have him or her diagnosed by a doctor.
Both Groshan Fabiola & Richal Peyton are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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