What are the symptoms of reflux in babies, and how is it treated?
Reflux is defined as the stomach contents escaping into the esophagus instead of remaining in the stomach. Reflux in babies is a common condition that usually resolves on its own as the baby grows. So, what are the symptoms of reflux in babies, and how is it treated? Here is what you need to know about reflux in infants...
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Known medically as Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), while it is a digestive system disorder in children, its symptoms and consequences can seriously affect organs and systems outside the digestive system in our body, and can even lead to sudden infant death.
It is, of course, not accurate to view every instance of vomiting as reflux. Because vomiting is a physiological event in healthy babies and usually resolves on its own within the first two years.
Recurrent vomiting alone is not sufficient for a diagnosis of reflux in babies. Vomiting after feeding is seen in half of babies under three months old and in one-third of them by the age of 1.
In fact, it continues in 5-10% of babies after the age of 1. However, if the vomiting does not stop and its frequency increases, or if the baby does not gain weight regularly and their growth is affected, it should be evaluated as gastroesophageal reflux (GER) disease.
'CLINICAL FINDINGS MAY BE THE SAME'
Prof. Dr. Hikmet Tekin Nacaroğlu stated that complaints such as refusal of formula, crying, restlessness, nausea, projectile vomiting, and failure to gain weight normally can be seen in babies with reflux disease, and that the most common causes of feeding difficulties in babies are reflux disease and food allergies.
Stating that bloody stool, excessive crying, restlessness, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, and growth and feeding difficulties are the primary symptoms of food allergies, Nacaroğlu said, "Clinical findings can be the same in both food allergies and reflux disease. In some types of food allergies, the esophagus becomes inflamed with allergy-specific cells.
Because it hurts when the formula passes through the esophagus, the child starts to cry when they see food. In this case, reflux is suspected and treatment is given, but unless the causative allergic foods are eliminated, healing cannot be achieved with reflux treatment alone.
FOODS THAT CAUSE FOOD ALLERGIES
We can list the main foods responsible for food allergies as cow's milk, eggs, soy, nuts, peanuts, wheat, fish, and shellfish. Most babies diagnosed with reflux do not require treatment. However, if the reflux is severe and the baby's growth is affected, treatment is started," he said.
It was also noted that reflux treatment begins primarily with changes in lifestyle and nutrition.
HOW IS REFLUX TREATED IN BABIES?
It is beneficial to burp babies after feeding and not to lay them down immediately, and to raise the head of the bed by approximately 30-40 degrees.
The use of a pacifier can reduce reflux as it increases stomach emptying.
Reflux may decrease when anti-reflux formulas are given to babies who are formula-fed.
For those who are breastfed, reflux can be reduced by giving a thickening agent.
It has been shown that sleeping on the stomach reduces reflux compared to sleeping on the back. However, since sleeping on the stomach causes sudden infant death, great care must be taken.
Smoking should not be allowed at home.
Mothers who breastfeed should not consume too much food such as caffeine and chocolate.
In older children, foods such as chocolate and caffeine should not be consumed. They should not eat one hour before bedtime, should sleep on their left side, and the head of the bed should be raised.