What Are the Acid Reflux Symptoms in Children?

Acid reflux symptoms in children are not as prominent as they are in adults. Acid reflux disease bars no age and children are as vulnerable to it as are the adults. The only difference in case of acid reflux symptoms in children being that it is not as well explained. This may be because of the children's inability to express in terms of words. A child would normally resort to crying to express his discomfort.

Infact, according to one of the studies, more than 50% of babies suffer from acid reflux during the first few months of their birth. The acid reflux symptoms in children normally go on their own by the 12'Th to 18'Th month. Only in few cases, medication may be required. Some children appear happy and satisfied even after spitting up because of acid reflux. It is actually quite common in children and parents need not worry too much about this. They can however, take a few steps to prevent this.

Acid Reflux Symptoms in Children - What to Look For

The acid reflux symptoms in children are normally seen after feeds, but the child can also spit up or vomit after crying or coughing. Other than spitting up, another sign to look out for is that the child is normally irritable or uncomfortable during feeds. Similarly, in case of little older children, difficulties in swallowing food while eating can also be an acid reflux symptom. Children with acid reflux would normally burp a lot. Symptoms such as heartburn and throat hoarseness may or may not be present but there is no sufficient data to prove this.

As discussed earlier, acid reflux symptoms in children more distinctly appear during the meal times or after feeds. A feeding baby will vomit and spit up after every feed. This can leave the mother concerned. As a nursing mother, you can control acid reflux symptoms in children by giving your baby short and frequent feeds, changing position during nursing and allowing the child to burp in between meals.

While trying to find acid reflux symptoms in children, the parents must keep in mind that acid reflux does not normally interfere with the growth of the child. If your child is not gaining weight, resists feeding or seems hungry in between the feeds, then he is more likely to have acid reflux. If you see the acid reflux symptoms in children such as green or brown fluid in vomit, not enough urine passage or a hoarse voice then one must go ahead to consult the doctor.

Some of the acid reflux symptoms in children can lead to chronic conditions such as Gastro Esophageal Reflux disease (GERD) or even Pyloric Stenosis. Pyloric Stenosis is a condition in which the stomach takes longer time to empty its contents into the small intestine. Hence, Acid reflux symptoms in children should not be neglected.

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