Ways to Know If Your Child Has Heartburn

Like in adults, heartburn is a common condition in infants and children. In fact, at least 50 percent of all babies suffer from heartburn.

Heartburn or GERD is an uncomfortable condition among infants. One of the most common symptoms of this condition is spitting up, especially after feeding. Heartburn among infants or children is often caused by an immature digestive tract. In some cases, exposure to secondhand smoke or having been fed with heartburn food triggers heartburn symptoms among infants.

While it is difficult to diagnose heartburn or GERD among children, the following are some of the common symptoms of this condition:

Arching of the back while being fed
Chest pain that comes with coughing
Painful swallowing
Poor eating condition
Vomiting
Painful swallowing

In addition to these symptoms, children with heartburn or GERD may have difficulty in gaining weight properly. This condition may lead to the development of complications like breathing problems and bleeding in the esophagus.

To properly diagnose heartburn or GERD, it is important that you seek the help of your child’s paediatrician. In most cases, all the doctor has to do is ask about your child’s symptoms in order to determine whether your child heartburn or GERD. In some cases, however, a gastroenterologist is particularly needed.

When a gastroenterologist deems it necessary, your child may be asked to undergo tests specific to assess his symptoms. These tests include upper GI series, endoscopy, esophageal pH probe, and gastric emptying study.

The upper gastrointestinal (GI) series is a test that will require your child to drink a particular formula or solution that contains a contrast material. This material is known as barium. After taking the formula, an X-ray will be performed to see the condition of your child’s stomach, esophagus, and even some parts of the intestines.

Endoscopy is a procedure that uses a flexible tube with camera on the end known as endoscope. The endoscope is inserted into the mouth and down into the esophagus will the child is under sedation. Through the endoscope, the doctor can view the condition of the esophagus and see an irritation in the esophagus caused by the influx of stomach acid. Whenever necessary, through the endoscopy the doctor can obtain a sample of tissue for biopsy.

The esophageal pH probe is, as what its name implies, a simple test to assess the acidity of the esophagus. To perform this test, the doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube through the nose and down to the esophagus. The acidity level of the esophagus determines the presence of gastric acid in the esophagus.

The gastric emptying study is a procedure that allows a doctor to see the movement of a fluid down the digestive tract. In this procedure, your child will be asked to drink a formula which contains milk and a special radioactive material. Then, with a special camera, the doctor watches the formula as it goes down the stomach. The purpose of the gastric emptying study is to determine the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) if it functions normally.