What is Reflux

Reflux is  a very common issue with infants.  It, like everything, has degrees of severity.  Reflux is simply when contents from the stomach flow back up into the esophagus, perhaps even out the mouth.  If the contents from the stomach come out the mouth it is called emesis or vomiting.  This is harmful because acid is in your stomach to help break down food for digestion. The acid in your stomach can break down and harm the tissue in your esophagus and airway.   If an infant or child suffers form frequent reflux, pain and discomfort will arise.  Many infants and children then associate eating with pain and discomfort.  This can be serious for it can lead to a pediatric feeding disorder.  Most of the time doctors can prescribe medicine to block the acid in the stomach, in other terms, make the acid less corrosive to the bodies tissue.  When the contents of the stomach with the blocked acid comes up into the esophagus and airway, the acid will not burn or hurt the tissue.

Unfortunately, acid blockers don't always work all of the time.  Especially if the child has severe reflux.  It can cause loss of appetite, poor weight gain, and failure to thrive.  For children with laryngomalacia, reflux is common.  Reflux can cause the severity of laryngomalacia to worsen because the tissues around the floppy cartilage can become inflamed and larger.  When a child has laryngomalacia, you want to decrease the size of tissue for better air flow.

For children with severe reflux and vomiting, many times a surgery to prevent reflux is suggested by doctors. It is called a fundoplication, or a Nissan.  Nissan is what you will hear it called most frequently.  It is called a Nissan because of the doctor that pioneered the surgery.  (See the page: To Nissan or not to Nissan)

For more information about reflux, I have included the following links:

Colic Calm
http://www.coliccalm.com/baby_infant_newborn_articles/acid-reflux.htm

Fact Sheet: Pediatric GERD
http://www.coliccalm.com/baby_infant_newborn_articles/acid-reflux.htm