Reflux and Regurgitation in babies - Medtick
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Reflux and Regurgitation in babies

What is it?

In babies under the age of two years old:

Heartburn

(The risk of heartburn is greater when)

  • Premature birth;
  • Parental history of heartburn or acid regurgitation;
  • Obesity (overweight);
  • Hiatus hernia;
  • History of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (repaired);
  • History of congenital oesophageal atresia (repaired) – rare birth defect that affects a baby’s oesophagus (the tube through which food passes from the mouth to the stomach). The upper part of the oesophagus doesn’t connect with the lower oesophagus and stomach. It usually ends in a pouch, which means food can’t reach the stomach;
  • Underlying neurodisability;

Reflux and Regurgitation (when babies bring up feeds and food):

  • Gastro-oesophageal reflux is very common (it affects at least 40% of infants);
  • It usually begins before the infant is eight weeks old;
  • May be frequent (5% of those affected have 6 or more episodes each day);
  • Usually becomes less frequent with time (it resolves in 90% of affected infants before they are 1 year old);

The Pharmaceutical Journal, PJ, May 2022, Vol 308, No 7961;308(7961):
DOI:10.1211/PJ.2022.1.141848

Many young babies have bouts of acid reflux because their muscular valve keeping the food in the stomach has not properly developed yet.

Cause

  • Overfeeding
  • Cow’s-milk protein allergy
  • Pyloric stenosis- problem that affects babies between birth and 6 months of age and causes forceful vomiting that can lead to dehydration.
  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)- a breathing disorder where an infant’s lungs become irritated and do not develop normally.
  • Malrotation – a birth defect link that occurs when the intestines do not correctly or completely rotate into their normal final position during development.
  • Tracheo-oesophageal fistula- an abnormal connection between these two tubes. As a result, swallowed liquids or food can be aspirated (inhaled) into your child’s lungs.
  • Constipation

The Pharmaceutical Journal, PJ, May 2022, Vol 308, No 7961;308(7961):
DOI:10.1211/PJ.2022.1.141848

Symptoms

  • Bringing up milk or being sick during or shortly after feeding?
  • Coughing when feeding?
  • Hiccups when feeding?
  • Unsettled and/or crying during feeding?
  • Swallowing and/or gulping after burping?
  • Swallowing and/or gulping after feeding?
  • Not gaining weight (due to not keeping food down)?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Reflux and Regurgitation in babies in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

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