What is GERD in children?

GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a long-term (chronic) digestive disorder. It happens when stomach contents flow back up (reflux) into the food pipe (esophagus) and cause symptoms or problems.

GERD is a more serious and long-lasting form of gastroesophageal reflux (GER).

GER is common in babies under 2 years old. Most babies spit up a few times a day during their first 3 months. GER does not often cause any problems in babies. In most cases, babies outgrow this by the time they are 12 to 14 months old.

It's also common for children and teens ages 2 to 19 to have GER from time to time. This doesn’t always mean they have GERD.

What causes GERD in a child?

GERD is often caused by something that affects the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES is a muscle at the bottom of the food pipe (esophagus). It opens to let food into the stomach. It closes to keep food in the stomach. When the LES relaxes too often or for too long, stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. This causes vomiting or heartburn.

Everyone has reflux from time to time. If you have ever burped and had an acid taste in your mouth, you have had reflux. Sometimes the LES relaxes at the wrong times. Often your child will just have a bad taste in their mouth. Or they may have a short, mild feeling of heartburn.

Babies are more likely to have a weak LES. This makes the LES relax when it should stay shut. As food or milk is digesting, the LES opens. It lets the stomach contents go back up to the esophagus. Sometimes the stomach contents go all the way up the esophagus. Then the baby or child vomits. In other cases, the stomach contents only go part of the way up the esophagus. This causes heartburn or breathing problems. In some cases, there are no symptoms at all.

Some foods seem to affect the muscle tone of the LES. They let the LES stay open longer than normal. These foods include:

• Chocolate

• Peppermint

• High-fat foods

Other foods can bring on symptoms because they are acidic. These foods include:

• Citrus foods

• Tomatoes and tomato sauces

Other things that may lead to GERD include:

• Being obese

• Medicines, including some antihistamines, antidepressants, and pain medicines

• Being around secondhand smoke or using nicotine products (including vaping)

Which children are at risk for GERD?

GER is very common during a baby’s first year of life. It often goes away on its own. Your child is more at risk for GERD if they have:

• Down syndrome

• Neuromuscular disorders, such as muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy

What are the symptoms of GERD in a child?

Heartburn, or acid indigestion, is the most common symptom of GERD. Heartburn is described as a burning chest pain. It begins behind the breastbone and moves up to the neck and throat. It can last as long as 2 hours or even longer. It's often worse after eating. Lying down or bending over after a meal can also lead to heartburn.

Children younger than age 12 will often have different GERD symptoms. They will have a dry cough, asthma symptoms, or trouble swallowing. They won’t have classic heartburn.

Each child may have different symptoms. Common symptoms of GERD include:

• Burping or belching

• Not eating

• Having stomach pain or chest pain

• Being fussy around mealtimes

• Vomiting often

• Having hiccups

• Gagging

• Choking

• Coughing often

• Having coughing fits at night

Other symptoms may include:

• Wheezing

• Getting colds often

• Getting ear infections often

• Having a rattling in the chest

• Having a sore throat in the morning

• Having a sour taste in the mouth

• Having bad breath

• Loss or decay of tooth enamel

GERD symptoms may seem like other health problems. Make sure your child sees their healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How is GERD diagnosed in a child?

Your child's healthcare provider will do a physical exam and take a health history. Other tests may include:

• Chest X-ray. An X-ray can check for signs that stomach contents have moved into the lungs. This is called aspiration.

• Upper GI series or barium swallow. This test looks at the organs of the top part of your child’s digestive system. It checks the food pipe (esophagus), the stomach, and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). Your child will swallow a metallic fluid called barium. Barium coats the organs so that they can be seen on an X-ray. Then X-rays are taken to check for signs of sores (ulcers) or abnormal blockages.

• Endoscopy. This test checks the inside of part of the digestive tract. It uses a small, flexible tube called an endoscope. It has a light and a camera lens at the end. Tissue samples from inside the digestive tract may also be taken for testing.

• Esophageal manometry. This test checks the strength of the esophagus muscles. It can see if your child has any problems with reflux or swallowing. A small tube is put into your child’s nostril, then down the throat and into the esophagus. Then it measures the pressure that the esophageal muscles make at rest.

• pH monitoring. This test checks the pH or acid level in the esophagus. A thin, plastic tube is placed into your child’s nostril, down the throat, and into the esophagus. The tube has a sensor that measures pH level. The other end of the tube outside your child’s body is attached to a small monitor. This records your child’s pH levels for 24 to 48 hours. During this time your child can go home and do their normal activities. You will need to keep a diary of any symptoms your child feels that may be linked to reflux. These include gagging or coughing. You should also keep a record of the time, type of food, and amount of food they eat. Your child’s pH readings are checked. They are compared to their activity for that time period.

• Gastric emptying study. This test is done to see if your child’s stomach sends its contents into the small intestine correctly. Delayed gastric emptying can cause reflux into the esophagus.

How is GERD treated in a child?

Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is and the underlying cause.

What are possible complications of GERD in a child?

Some babies and children who have GERD may not vomit. But their stomach contents may still move up the food pipe (esophagus) and spill over into the windpipe (trachea). This can cause asthma or pneumonia.

The vomiting that affects many babies and children with GERD can cause problems with weight gain and poor nutrition. Over time, when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, it can also lead to:

• Inflammation of the esophagus, called esophagitis

• Sores or ulcers in the esophagus, which can be painful and may bleed

• A lack of red blood cells, from bleeding sores (anemia)

How can I help my child live with GERD?

Many babies who vomit outgrow it by the time they are about 1 year old. This happens as the LES gets stronger. For other children, taking medicines and making lifestyle and diet changes can reduce reflux, vomiting, and heartburn.

When should I call my child's healthcare provider?

Call you child's healthcare provider if your baby or child:

• Has reflux and is not gaining weight

• Has signs of asthma or pneumonia. These include coughing, wheezing, or trouble breathing.

• Has vomiting that continues or is vomiting blood

Key points about GERD in children

• GERD is a long-term (chronic) digestive disorder.

• GERD is a more serious and long-lasting form of gastroesophageal reflux (GER). GER is common in babies under 2 years old. Most babies spit up a few times a day during their first 3 months. GER does not often cause any problems in babies.

• It happens when stomach contents come back up into the food pipe (esophagus).

• Heartburn or acid indigestion is the most common symptom of GERD.

• Vomiting can cause problems with weight gain and poor nutrition.

• In many cases, GERD can be eased by diet and lifestyle changes.

• Sometimes medicines, tube feedings, or surgery may be needed.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s healthcare provider:

• Know the reason for the visit and what you want to happen.

• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.

• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new directions your provider gives you for your child.

• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child. Also know what the side effects are and when they should be reported.

• Ask if your child’s condition can be treated in other ways.

• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.

• Know what to expect if your child does not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.

• If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.

• Know how you can contact your child’s provider after office hours. This is important if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.