Gastroesophageal Reflux in Infants
Gastroesophageal Reflux in Infants
- A common phenomenon in the first months of life -
Gastroesophageal reflux in infants is characterized by the passage of stomach contents into the esophagus, causing local irritation and feeding discomfort. It is common in infants under 12 months, due to immaturity of the lower esophageal sphincter.
How does it manifest itself?
Symptoms may include:
- frequent regurgitation
- vomiting after meals
- irritability
- prolonged crying
- sleep disorders
- feeding difficulties
Causes and Mechanism
The mechanism involves an immature lower esophageal sphincter, horizontal positioning, and increased gastric pressure. Gastric acid irritates the esophageal mucosa and can cause mild inflammation or discomfort.
Compounded treatments
Compounded treatments help protect the mucosa and reduce symptoms:
- mucoprotective and antacid agents: aluminum hydroxide, alginate
- bases adapted for oral administration in infants, free of preservatives or irritating excipients
- proton pump inhibitors to reduce gastric acidity: omeprazole, esomeprazole
You can check out some examples of recommended compounded treatments here
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