GERD in Children

Acid in the stomach and esophagus.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (or GERD) occurs when stomach acids back up into the esophagus—the tube that takes food from your throat to your stomach. It can happen in adults and older children when the area between the lower end of the esophagus and the stomach does not close tightly enough. It also can happen in infants, because their digestive tracts are still growing.

GERD can cause babies to vomit, cry, and act fussy. They may have trouble breastfeeding or taking a bottle. Older children may have the same symptoms as adults. They may cough a lot and have a burning feeling in the chest and throat. GERD usually is not a sign that something is seriously wrong. It usually goes away by the end of an infant's first year. Symptoms in older children may go away with home treatment or medicines.

The doctor has checked your child carefully, but problems can develop later. If you notice any problems or new symptoms, get medical treatment right away.

Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.

How can you care for your child at home?

Infants

  • Burp your baby several times during a feeding.
  • Hold your baby upright for 30 minutes after a feeding.

Older children

  • If your child is older than 12 months, raise the head of their bed a little bit by putting blocks under the frame or a foam wedge under the head of the mattress.
  • Have your child eat smaller meals, more often.
  • Avoid foods that make your child's symptoms worse. These may include chocolate, mint, alcohol, pepper, spicy foods, high-fat foods, or drinks with caffeine in them, such as tea, coffee, colas, or energy drinks. If your child's symptoms are worse after eating a certain food, your child may want to stop eating it to see if their symptoms get better.
  • Try to feed your child at least 2 to 3 hours before bedtime to avoid having a lot of acid in the stomach when your child lies down.
  • Have your child take medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think your child is having a problem with a medicine.
  • Antacids such as children's versions of Rolaids, Tums, or Maalox may help. Be careful when you give your child over-the-counter antacid medicines. Many of these medicines have aspirin in them. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, a serious illness.
  • Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter acid reducers, such as cimetidine, famotidine, or omeprazole.

When should you call for help?

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

  • Your child's vomit is very forceful or yellow-green in color.
  • Your child has signs of needing more fluids. These signs include sunken eyes with few tears, a dry mouth with little or no spit, and little or no urine for 6 hours.

Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

  • Your child does not get better as expected.