What Are the Treatments for Acid Reflux in Children?

Acid reflux affects approximately 7 million children in the United States, according to the Pediatric and Adolescent Gastroesophageal Reflux Association. While most babies grow out of it, some continue to suffer discomfort. Treatment is available to help control acid reflux in these cases. Controlling the acid reflux is key to preventing long-term damage.

Identification

• Pediatric gastroesophageal reflux disease, or acid reflux, can be difficult to diagnose in babies and younger children. Some common symptoms, however, include pain, irritability, constant or sudden crying often referred to as colic, frequent spitting up or vomiting, vomiting or spitting up more than one hour after eating, not outgrowing the spitting-up stage, refusing food or accepting only a few bites even though hungry, poor sleep habits, frequent waking, "wet burp" or "wet hiccup" sounds and bad breath. Older children may also complain of a burning sensation in their chest, a sore throat or a continuous upset stomach feeling.

Positioning

• One of the keys to dealing with acid reflux in children is keeping their heads elevated, not only when eating but also when sleeping. This allows the muscles of the esophagus to relax and decreases discomfort.

Diet

• Avoiding spicy, fatty and high acid foods can help keep children with acid reflux comfortable. These foods are more likely to irritate the stomach and esophagus. Eating more frequent, smaller meals can also help.

Medications

• Acid blockers, motility medicines (also known as prokinetic medications), acid suppressors, antacids and barriers can help. Finding the effective drug can be a matter of trial and error.

Surgery

• For severe cases, surgery might be recommended to take a portion of the stomach's fundus and use it to help tighten the lower esophageal sphincter to make it close properly.