Infant Acid Reflux – Symptoms and Causes

Overview

Infant reflux occurs when a baby’s stomach contents travel upward into the esophagus, causing spit-up. This common condition happens multiple times daily in many infants.

For most babies who are growing well and seem content, reflux is not a health concern. Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) typically decreases as babies grow older. Most cases resolve naturally by 18 months of age.

Parents can usually manage mild reflux at home without medical intervention.

However, certain warning signs require medical attention:

• Poor weight gain
• Growth that falls behind expected patterns
• Excessive irritability during or after feedings
• Breathing difficulties
• Refusing to eat

These symptoms might indicate a more serious condition such as:

• Food allergies
• Digestive system blockages
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

GERD represents a more severe form of reflux that can cause health complications if left untreated. Unlike typical infant reflux, GERD may require medical treatment to prevent long-term issues with feeding, growth, and comfort.

Signs and Symptoms

Infant reflux is usually not a cause for worry. Most stomach contents don’t have enough acid to irritate the throat or food pipe and cause problems.

See a doctor if your baby:

• Fails to gain weight
• Forcefully vomits (shoots milk out of the mouth)
• Spits up green or yellow fluid
• Has blood or dark brown specks in spit-up
• Refuses to eat
• Shows blood in poop
• Has breathing problems or ongoing cough
• Starts spitting up at 6 months or older
• Gets very fussy after feeding
• Seems unusually tired

Important: These symptoms might point to more serious but treatable conditions like GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or a blockage somewhere in the digestive system.

For proper diagnosis, always consult with your pediatrician if you notice these warning signs. Early detection leads to better outcomes for your baby’s health and comfort.

Causes

Infant reflux often happens because the muscle that connects the esophagus to the stomach isn’t fully developed.

This muscle, called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), normally keeps food in the stomach. In babies, this muscle is still growing, which allows stomach contents to flow back up.

Several normal baby conditions make reflux more likely:

• Babies spend most of their time lying flat
• Their diet consists mainly of liquids
• Their digestive systems are still developing

Some more serious conditions can cause or worsen infant reflux:

• GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease): When reflux is severe enough to damage the esophagus lining due to stomach acid.
• Pyloric Stenosis: This condition occurs when the valve between the stomach and small intestine becomes too thick, preventing food from moving properly through the digestive system.
• Food Sensitivity: Many babies are sensitive to proteins found in cow’s milk, which can trigger reflux symptoms.
• Eosinophilic Esophagitis: This condition involves white blood cells called eosinophils building up in the esophagus, causing inflammation and injury to the lining.
• Sandifer Syndrome: A rare complication that causes unusual head movements and positions that may look like seizures but are actually related to reflux discomfort.

Most cases of infant reflux are normal and resolve as babies grow and their digestive systems mature. The LES typically develops more strength over time, helping to keep stomach contents where they belong.

Risk Factors

Several factors may increase a baby’s chance of having infant reflux:

• Premature birth
• Lung conditions like cystic fibrosis
• Nervous system conditions such as cerebral palsy
• Previous esophageal surgery

These conditions can affect how the digestive system works, making reflux more likely to occur.

Complications

Most infants with reflux get better naturally without causing any health issues. However, in some cases, a baby with reflux might have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This can cause their growth to fall behind compared to other children their age.

Research indicates that babies who frequently spit up may have a higher chance of developing GERD later in childhood. Parents should monitor their child’s symptoms and growth patterns.