Contents
Every young mother preparing to take care of her baby faces many new responsibilities. Most of them are associated with the need to ensure the constant comfort of their children, take care of their health and support the proper course of development. Among them, there is also a need to observe the child’s behavior and his reflexes, which may indicate various processes taking place in his body. A common symptom of early childhood is reflux. However, its occurrence does not always indicate a food disorder of our child. Therefore, it is worth finding out if reflux is dangerous to health, when it occurs, and how to help our children deal with recurring reflux.
What is reflux in babies
The reflux that we are going to talk about here is about the part of the digestive tract that consists of the stomach and esophagus. Reflux occurs when stomach contents pass into the esophagus, and through it, into the throat, mouth, often outside the body. Then it comes to the so-called bleeding, during which the baby involuntarily returns some of the food consumed. The feeling of reflux is not the most pleasant one, but it is not a major threat in itself. Symptoms such as a slight burning sensation or pain appear during the vaping, which results from irritation of the mucosa of the upper parts of the digestive system by food mixed with its acids, escaping from the stomach.
Symptoms of reflux in babies
Uhighing is the most common symptom of reflux, affecting about half of all babies during the first three months of life. It is extremely rare for infants to develop reflux without pouring down water. Most often, the downpour stops spontaneously within the next few months. There is no definite answer to the question of when reflux passes in babies. However, if the downpour occurs with great intensity, and our child is already a full year, then a specialist should be consulted. Especially dangerous are those refluxes in which the food content is not only the presence of digestive acids, but also blood or bile. Then it is necessary to report to a pediatric clinic as soon as possible. Sudden reflux attacks, especially in infants who have not previously suffered from this condition, should also be consulted by a doctor.
In addition to downpouring, the common symptoms of reflux include: heartburn, problems swallowing food, coughing (especially at night), hoarseness, wheezing, a tendency to choke, vomiting, problems with coordinating food intake (sucking, swallowing), disturbed behavior accompanying nutrition (crying, reluctance to eat), and thus also problems during feeding and weight loss of the infant.
In addition, reflux can cause a number of health problems in our child. Regular reflux can lead to inflammation of the bronchi, larynx, middle ear or – in the case of older children – the sinuses of the nose. Moreover, frequent reflux can contribute to the development of bronchial asthma.
The causes of reflux in babies
There are various causes of reflux in babies. The following should be distinguished above all:
- disorders in the proper functioning of the digestive tract,
- narrowing of the pylorus connecting the stomach with the duodenum,
- intolerance to certain food products or their specific ingredients,
- urinary tract infection.
Diagnosis of reflux in infants
Reflux in infants is diagnosed by testing the pH of matter collected from the esophagus. This test shows the pH level throughout the day (day and night) and allows you to determine how much the tissues of the esophagus, throat or mouth are exposed to irritation when they come into contact with digestive acids leaking from the stomach. Additionally, an X-ray examination of the chest with the use of contrast is performed. This allows for a detailed diagnosis of the state of our child’s body and noticing potential abnormalities in its structure or the work of the digestive tract. Endoscopic examination is also used to diagnose inflammation or ulcers that cover the esophageal tissues, potentially responsible for reflux in infants.
Treatment of reflux in infants is most often based on changing the eating habits of our child. First of all, the child is given specialized anti-reflux mixtures. These are preparations that swell in the stomach, preventing the regurgitation of food contents. During feeding, care should be taken to maintain the proper position of the baby’s body. For this purpose, the best position is vertical, which both affects the food content (pulling it downwards) and allows it to spit it out freely in the event of pouring out. If an infant who has been diagnosed with an allergy to cow’s milk proteins suffers from reflux, then it will be necessary to use appropriate substitutes.