GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX IN NEWBORNS AND INFANTS (I)

Abstract

Gastroesophageal reflux in newborns and infants is particularized by pathogeny, diagnosis and therapeutical approach. The situation is much more complex for them due to the functional immaturity of the digestive tract, to the anatomic immaturity of the Hiss lower esophageal sphincter and to the lower gastric acidity. In infants, the low compliance with the laborious procedures such as pH-metry, impedance – pH-metry and digestive endoscopy is also considered. The border between regurgitations, physiological gastroesophageal reflux and the reflux disease is sometimes hard to establish. Changing the life style of infants (feeding and position changes) based on the mother’s compliance with the medical recommendations is a first step in the treatment of GER, followed in non-responsive cases by pharmacological therapy and surgery.

Keywords

• gastroesophageal reflux
• newborn
• infant