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Immunizations & Health

Infant GERD

Signs, Symptoms and Treatments of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is making the news far more than it used to. It seems that almost everyone knows someone who has chronic acid reflux. The supermarket shelf is packed with an overwhelming choice of digestive aids, indicating that America has a real problem. What most people don't know is this problem can actually start at birth.

Rose Roccamo's baby, Rosina, was just 3 days old when she was diagnosed with infant GERD. The Roccamos had just brought their beautiful, healthy baby girl home from the hospital when suddenly she stopped breathing. "My sister was filming Rosina's first bath," says Roccamo. "Suddenly Rosina stopped breathing, her body was arched and stiff and she was also turning purple. I yelled for someone to call 911."

Reflux is the abnormal backwashing of stomach contents and acid up the food tube, or esophagus.

Rosina spent four days in the hospital where they diagnosed her immediately with reflux. She received an upper gastrointestinal (GI) scan and was given an appointment with a specialist. The specialist ordered a pH probe, a procedure that tests the level of acid in your esophagus.

"This was the definitive diagnosis," says Roccamo.

What Is GERD?
Jan Gambino, the associate director of the Pediatric/Adolescent Gastreosophageal Reflux Association, believes it is important for parents to understand exactly what reflux is. Reflux is the abnormal backwashing of stomach contents and acid up the food tube, or esophagus. The gate at the end of the esophagus relaxes to allow food into the stomach, but with reflux it relaxes at the wrong time and allows acid to wash back up. Typical symptoms include vomiting, irritability and poor sleep and eating habits.


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Angela says
February 15, 2010

My daughter has GERD. OMG I got so tired of doing laundry all the time since the bibs on the market were useless. They either moved or bunched up and she would spit up all over herself. Luckily, I just found the perfect bib and burp cloth for infant reflux babies and parents! They DO NOT MOVE%u2026.its amazing. They are called the Hug-A-Bib and Clippy Cloth and the website is http://www.hugabib.com. Please check them out %u2013 I LOVE these things!!

Anonymous says
December 9, 2009

Thank you for the article and the responses. My daughter has the same problem and when she throws up, it goes up her nose as well. Anyone with the same problem?

Anonymous says
November 8, 2009

Thank You, this article helped me tremendously, it discribes exactly what happens to my infant son when I breastfeed him. The doctor prescribed Axid, but I want to try the behavioral maneuvers rather than medication. I am hoping this will work.

Dr. Victoria says
August 26, 2009

Wow. Thank you so much for finding this article and I am so happy it helped! I hope your grandaughter has stabilized and is well and enjoying being a baby! It does get so much better. My oldest son is outgrowing his surgery (sometimes age corrections are needed, or not) as he is very tall! He is back on meds and is symptomatic, but nothing like he or his brother were as babies.
I can recommend the Pediatric and Adolescent Gerd foundation. Pager.org I think. I volunteered for them quite a while and still keep in touch!

Grandma Michelle says
October 28, 2008

This article really hit home for me and my daughter. My granddaughter had a similar episode at the age of 14 days. She stopped breathing and did the arching of the back, eyes in the back of her head, etc. We rushed her to the ER and then were transported to a NICU for several days. She too had all the test and the pH probe. She is home now and on Reglan and Pepcid and we are do to follow up with a GI specialist this week. These episodes are scary and we still went to the ER with one the other night. Thanks for the insight and information! It feels great to know that this will get better.

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