Acid Reflux Treatment: Causes of esophagitis in infants.
The major cause of esophagitis in infants is reflux of acid contents from the stomach into the esophagus. In adults up to 90% of refluxed material in the esophagus is cleared within seconds and the rest neutralised by swallowing of saliva. This is not the case in infants. It is also suggested that pepsin in [...]
Acid Reflux Treatment: Surgery in Infants.
In children where gastro-esophageal reflux is unacceptably high leading to worrying weight loss or failure to thrive, or esophagitis, and medication is ineffective, surgery may be the next step. Fundoplication is the surgical procedure of choice and the intention to operate is mainly to tighetn and improve the competence of the lower esophageal sphincter and [...]
Acid Reflux Treatment: Medication for Infants.
Reflux in infants is widespread and is accepted as part of normal development in children. It becomes a problem if reflux is repetitive and prolonged and especially if associated with poor weight gain or weight loss. Treatment is particularly necessary if there is esophigitis. Antacids are effective in reducing the acid concentration of reflux. H2 [...]
Acid Reflux Treatment: Conservative measures in Infants.
Position a child is kept may have an effect on the level of reflux. Placing a child in a infant seat has been tested with a pH probe. The result showed this to be an ineffective measure to control acid reflux. Comparison between this position and head elevated prone position in a harness showed that [...]
Acid Reflux Treatment: Tests for Infant Reflux.
The muscles of the esophagus is smooth muscle and not under voluntary control. This muscular tube transports chewed up food from the mouth into the stomach. At the lower end of this tube is an area of contracted circular muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter. Infants with severe reflux problems may have further investigations especially [...]
Acid Reflux Treatment: Reflux in infants.
Gastro-esophageal reflux in infancy is an extremely common occurrence. As in adults the problem is with the lower esophageal sphincter. In adults the sphincter pressure is 5-6mm Hg. In a full term baby the pressure is often lower than 2.5mm Hg. This remains low until a few months of age. In infants when the lower [...]
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