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Gastro-Esophageal Reflux in Children
Anna Rybak1, Marcella Pesce2,3, Nikhil Thapar4,5
1Department of Gastroenterology, Division of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London WC1N 3JH, UK. anna.rybak@gosh.nhs.uk.
Insights
Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) in infants and children presents differently than in adults. This review covers GERD
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) is common in infants and children.
- GER can range from benign regurgitation to severe complications defining pathological GERD.
- Infant GERD symptoms often differ from adult presentations like heartburn.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of GERD in infants and children.
- To provide guidance based on current clinical guidelines.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current guidelines and available data on pediatric GERD.
- Focus on clinical presentation, diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic strategies.
Main Results:
- Infants have unique factors exacerbating GER, including diet, position, and immature gastro-esophageal junction.
- GERD presentation in children is distinct from adult symptomatology.
- Guidelines offer a framework for managing pediatric GERD.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the distinct features of GERD in infants and children is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
- Current guidelines provide a basis for effective treatment strategies.
- Further research may refine management protocols for pediatric GERD.
Abstract:
Gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) is common in infants and children and has a varied clinical presentation: from infants with innocent regurgitation to infants and children with severe esophageal and extra-esophageal complications that define pathological gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). Although the pathophysiology is similar to that of adults, symptoms of GERD in infants and children are often distinct from classic ones such as heartburn. The passage of gastric contents into the esophagus is a normal phenomenon occurring many times a day both in adults and children, but, in infants, several factors contribute to exacerbate this phenomenon, including a liquid milk-based diet, recumbent position and both structural and functional immaturity of the gastro-esophageal junction. This article focuses on the presentation, diagnosis and treatment of GERD that occurs in infants and children, based on available and current guidelines.
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