The regurgitation is very common in babies, since up to 4 babies in 10 regularly experience it. However, there is a difference between the regurgitation and the acid reflux in babies.

Since regurgitation is such common in babies, you should be worried only if it is accompanied by painful events or sleep disorders. In these cases it is probably a gastro esophageal reflux disease which is rather uncommon in infants. A good way to distinguish them is that the banal regurgitation usually occur just after the baby is breastfed or given the bottle and they are completely painless. In the case of acid reflux, the regurgitation occurs several hours and is often painful.

No More HeartburnThe acid reflux in babies is characterized by the arrival in the esophagus of gastric acid from the stomach. The reflux may or may not externalize in the form of regurgitation or vomiting. The gastro esophageal junction (so-called false-valve) of the infants is immature. It is absolutely normal to observe the acid reflux in infants until the age of 9 months. The gastro esophageal reflux is more common in preterm children who had surgery for abnormalities of the esophagus and ins those who suffer from lung problems (asthma, bronco-alveolar dysplasia, cystic fibrosis) and in children who suffer from hypotonic or psychomotor development problems.

There are several ways of remedy the acid reflux in babies. The non-drug treatments should be attempted first. The anti-reflux can be remedied by elevating the head of bed at about 30 degrees, while maintaining the position of the back. This combined with a dietary treatment may be sufficient to reduce the regurgitation. Decreasing the amount of milk given each time and feeding the baby more frequent would reduce the amount of fluid in the stomach and thus the acid reflux. However, the results of these techniques are mixed and must be approved by a doctor.

Since there has been a dramatic decrease in the risk of sudden infant death syndrome by preventing babies to sleep on the stomach or side, the angle position on the side in case is sometimes indicated. Very often, the acid reflux disappears as the baby makes the transition to upright posture and begins eating more solid food.

Pharmacological treatments are also available for the acid reflux in babies and will be selected accordingly by the physician. In certain rare situations, surgery may be necessary, but it is reserved for children whose lives have been endangered by the gastro esophageal reflux or when reflux causes severe complications, which are persistent and resistant to drug treatments.

No related posts.

 

Tagged with: • • • • • • • • • •