Parenting Australia

Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux

Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux (reflux) is the spontaneous passage of part or all of the stomach contents (comprising food and stomach acid) into the oesophagus. It can present in many different ways, and not all infants and children with reflux vomit, as is commonly believed. These children are said to suffer from ‘Silent Reflux’, which is very much a misnomer as silence is generally not one of the signs!! Additionally, a child’s reflux can vary in severity; there may be ‘good’ and ‘bad’ days or weeks; and times which can worsen or improve, sometimes for no apparent reason (often in a cyclical pattern).

The list below gives a general overview of some of the signs that may be displayed (there may also be others). A child with reflux will not necessarily display all of them, and the number of signs exhibited does not indicate the severity of their ‘reflux’.

• Vomiting, posseting or regurgitation
• Appears to be in pain
• "Wet burp" or "wet hiccup" sounds
• Irritability and excessive crying
• Congestion, or seems “snuffly”
• Recurrent hiccoughs
• Bad breath; sour smelling breath
• Feeding difficulties
  • displaying a fear of food or unwillingness to eat
  • pulling away and arching their back
  • crying during or after feeds
  • swallowing problems, gagging/spluttering
  • comfort feeding- wanting to feed frequently
  • refusal to feed or only taking a small amount despite being hungry
• Sleep disturbances
  • frequent night waking (though some sleep well at night)
  • taking short naps during the day
  • easily disturbed from sleep
• Repeated coughing, wheezing
• Recurrent chest, throat, ear or sinus infections
• Hoarse voice
• Dental erosion/decay
• Excessive salivation, drooling
• Failure to thrive (though excessive weight gain can be a problem for some refluxers)
• Gagging themselves (using their hand/fist/fingers)
• Apnoea (periods of cessation of breathing)

There are other signs your child may display as well. If you suspect your child may have reflux (either gastro-oesophageal reflux or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease), or have any concerns, it is important to discuss this with your child’s doctor or child health nurse.

Reflux is not the only cause of these signs, and there can be other reasons for their signs and symptoms.

©2010 Reflux Infants Support Association
www.reflux.org.au

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