<p><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Contents</span></span></strong></p>

<p><em><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Causes</span></span></em></p>

<p><em><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Symptoms</span></span></em></p>

<p><em><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Exams and Tests</span></span></em></p>

<p><em><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Treatment</span></span></em></p>

<p><em><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Outlook (Prognosis)</span></span></em></p>

<p><em><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Possible Complications</span></span></em></p>

<p><em><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">When to Contact a Medical Professional</span></span></em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when stomach contents leak backward from the stomach into the esophagus. This causes &quot;spitting up&quot; in infants.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="1" name="1">Causes</a></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">When a person eats, food passes from the throat to the stomach through the esophagus. The esophagus is called the food pipe or swallowing tube.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">A ring of muscle fibers prevents food at the top of the stomach from moving up into the esophagus. These muscle fibers are called the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES. If this muscle does not close well, food can leak back into the esophagus. This is called gastroesophageal reflux.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">A small amount of gastroesophageal reflux is normal in young infants. However, ongoing reflux with frequent vomiting can irritate the esophagus and make the infant fussy. Severe reflux that causes weight loss or breathing problems is not normal.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="2" name="2">Symptoms</a></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Symptoms may include:</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Cough, especially after eating</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Excessive crying&nbsp;as if in pain</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Excessive vomiting during the first few weeks of life; worse after eating</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Extremely forceful vomiting</span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Not feeding well</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Refusing to eat</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Slow growth</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Weight loss</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Wheezing or other breathing problems</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="3" name="3">Exams and Tests</a></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">The health care provider can often diagnose the problem by asking about the infant&#39;s symptoms and doing a physical exam.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Infants who have severe symptoms or are not growing well may need more testing to find the best treatment.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Tests that may be done include:</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Esophageal pH monitoring of stomach contents entering the esophagus</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; X-ray of the esophagus</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; X-ray of the upper gastrointestinal system after the baby has been given a special liquid, called contrast, to drink</span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="4" name="4">Treatment</a></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Often, no feeding changes are needed for infants who spit up but are growing well and seem otherwise content.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Your provider may suggest simple changes to help the symptoms such as:</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Burp the baby after drinking 1 to 2 ounces of formula, or after feeding on each side if breastfeeding.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Add 1 tablespoon of rice cereal to 2 ounces of formula, milk, or expressed breast milk. If needed, change the nipple size or cut a small x in the nipple.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Hold the baby upright for 20 to 30 minutes after feeding.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Raise the head of the crib. However, your infant should still sleep on the back, unless your provider suggests otherwise.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">When the infant begins to eat solid food, feeding thickened foods may help.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Medicines can be used to reduce acid or increase the movement of the intestines.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="5" name="5">Outlook (Prognosis)</a></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Most infants outgrow this condition. Rarely, reflux continues into childhood and causes esophageal damage.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="6" name="6">Possible Complications</a></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Complications may include:</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Aspiration pneumonia caused by stomach contents passing into the lungs</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Irritation and swelling of the esophagus</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Scarring and narrowing of the esophagus</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="7" name="7">When to Contact a Medical Professional</a></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Call your provider if your baby:</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Is vomiting forcefully and often.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Has other symptoms of reflux.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Has problems breathing after vomiting.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Is refusing food and losing or not gaining weight.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Is crying often.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong>Source</strong>:&nbsp;<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001134.htm">https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001134.htm</a></span></span></p>
