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GERD Symptoms in Toddlers

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is caused when food and acid travel from the stomach back up the esophagus. This happens because the group of muscles that separates the stomach from the esophagus--called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)--fails to close completely. The reflux then causes the esophagus to become irritated.

  1. Digestive Symptoms

    • Because the partially digested food is refluxed out of the body through spitting up or vomiting instead of being absorbed, toddlers with GERD sometimes have slow weight gain and growth.

    Meal-Time Symptoms

    • A toddler with GERD might eat or drink constantly, refuse to eat, or gag or choke while eating. She might become irritable, complain of a bitter taste in her mouth, or twist her body or arch her back when she is done eating.

    Oral Symptoms

    • Bad breath, a raspy or hoarse voice, a large amount of drool, dental cavities, or a recurrent sore throat are all signs that a toddler might suffer from GERD.

    Respiratory Symptoms

    • A toddler with GERD might experience wheezing, frequent coughing and asthma. She might stop breathing on occasion or become sick with pneumonia.

    Other Symptoms

    • Some other symptoms a toddler with GERD might exhibit are trouble sleeping, chest pain and frequent ear infections.

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