Helping Prevent Acid Reflux (Heartburn) in Children
Acid reflux in children, also known as gastroesophageal reflux (GER), is a condition where the contents of the stomach flow back into the esophagus—a muscular tube that connects your throat to your stomach—causing irritation and discomfort.
It can affect children and infants, as well as adolescents and adults. In infants, acid reflux may cause them to refuse to eat or have difficulty gaining weight. They may also experience breathing difficulties or pain after eating.
Several factors can contribute to acid reflux in children:
- Spending a lot of time lying down or having an esophagus that’s not fully developed can be possible causes.
- Other factors include the shorter length of a child’s esophagus, weaker muscles in the lower part of the esophagus, and how tightly the diaphragm (the main breathing muscle) pinches around the esophagus. These can all make acid reflux more likely in children.
To reduce the risk of acid reflux in children, there are several actions that can be taken:
- Not lying down immediately after a meal: It is recommended to wait for some time before lying down after eating.
- Keeping the head raised during sleep: Elevating the head while sleeping can help prevent stomach contents from flowing back into the esophagus.
- Making changes to eating habits: This includes feeding children smaller, more frequent meals. Certain foods can also trigger acid reflux in children. They may be sensitive to these foods, which can affect the valve-like mechanism between the esophagus and the stomach.
- In more severe cases, doctors may prescribe or recommend medications such as antacids, H2 blockers (e.g., famotidine), or proton pump inhibitors (e.g., esomeprazole, omeprazole, lansoprazole) to help manage symptoms.
It's important to note that these actions are general recommendations and may vary depending on the severity of symptoms. It's always best to consult with a doctor before making any changes or trying over-the-counter medications. They will be able to provide personalized advice and recommend an effective treatment plan for managing acid reflux in children.
Medication dosing may be affected by many factors. Check with your health care professional about dosing for your individual situation. Other side effects can occur. Check with your health care professional or read the information provided with your medication for additional side effect information.