title: Gastro-oesophageal reflux and gastrooesophageal reflux disease in infants and children.
abstract: Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) is a norma physiological process occurring daily in healthy infants with similar frequency in both breast- and bottle-fed infants. It is generally considered uncomplicated and self-limiting, resolving spontaneously by 12-14 months of age. In contrast, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is associated with more severe symptoms and, on occasions, oesophagitis. In the small percentage of cases that do not respond to simple feeding measures, a trial for 2-4 weeks using an extensively hydrolysed formula may be considered. Thickeners and antiregurgitation feeds may help with the frequency of overt regurgitation. Feeding difficulties can be a problem in infants with reflux, with some suffering extreme aversion to texture. In the small percentage of infants who experience faltering growth, high-calorie formulae can be used. In those with severe feeding difficulties or severe faltering growth, tube feeding may be required. Infants should ideally be managed within a multidisciplinary team including a speech and language therapist, psychologist, dietitian and paediatrician.
authors.affiliation: Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
authors.forename: Jackie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Falconer
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods*; D007225:Infant Food; D016269:Milk Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000379:methods; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control