Symptoms of Acid Reflux in Children

Acid Reflux or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is the most common condition occurring in infants and children that may remain unnoticed. Children have an immature digestive system that is responsible for the cause of acid reflux in many children. About 50% of the infants experience acid reflux during the first few months of their life. And some infants grow out of acid reflux by the time they are a year old.

Acid reflux in children generally resolves on its own by 14 to 18 months. Under normal conditions, muscle between the esophagus and the stomach relaxes and is opened only when you swallow the food. At other times, this muscle is tightly closed so that food and liquids will remain in your stomach. When this muscle doesn't close properly, the stomach contents and acid can back up into the esophagus, which may come out of the mouth. This causes acid refluxes.

Acid reflux can become serious in some children therefore knowing the symptoms of acid reflux in children is very essential so that a proper medical treatment can be given to the child. The symptoms of acid reflux can be different for different children. Spitting and vomiting is the most common symptom of acid reflex observed in children. But remember that not all children with acid reflux spit or vomit and not all children who spit or vomit have acid reflux. Other symptoms of acid reflux in children include:

The most Common Symptoms of Acid Reflux in Children

• Chest pain
• Abdominal pain above the belly
• Irritability
• Frequent persistent cough during night
• Frequent spitting-up
• Frequent or recurrent vomiting
• Pickiness for food
• Eating small amounts of food despite hunger
• Burning sensation in the esophagus
• Gas
• Colic (fussiness)
• Sleeping problems
• Sudden crying
• Constant runny nose
• Bad breath

Less Common Symptoms of Acid Reflux in Children

• Gagging or choking
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Poor weight gain
• Weight loss
• Frequent sore throat
• Hoarseness
• Sinus infections
• Noisy breathing
• Breathing problems
• Respiratory problems like asthma, bronchitis, wheezing and pneumonia
• Ear infections
• Ear congestion
• Excessive salvation
• Drooling

Common Symptoms of Acid Reflux in Infants

• Frequent vomiting
• Gagging or choking
• Feeding problems
• Irritability while feeding
• Arching the back while feeding
• Persistent coughing
• Breathing problems
• Sudden and frequent crying
• Colic
• Recurrent pneumonia
• Trouble in sleeping, waking at night
• Slow growth
• Failure to thrive
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Blood in stool
• Refusing food
• Emission of wet burps
• Frequent hiccups
• Poor weight gain or weight loss

These were the symptoms of acid reflux in children and infants. If you find these symptoms in your children contact your pediatrician.