Diagnosing Reflux in Infants

It’s very likely that if you’ve spent time around an infant, you’ve seen them “spit up”. This is a  common term for when babies regurgitate after eating or drinking. However, you might not know what causes infants to spit up. This occurrence can be caused by a common thing called baby reflux or a more chronic condition called baby GERD. In this article, we will discuss what infant reflux is, what causes it, and how to diagnose it. 

What is baby reflux?

Reflux in infants occurs when food—or milk—rises back up from a baby's stomach, causing the baby to spit up. The condition is not considered serious and should subside as the baby gets older—usually after the baby is 18 months.

What causes reflux in infants?

In babies, the ring between the esophagus and the stomach called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) that controls the opening to allow food to pass into the stomach is not yet fully stable, which keeps it from closing all the way. This allows the contents of the stomach to rise back up. 

Eventually, the LES will strengthen, which is why most infant reflux goes away after a year and a half or so. Sometimes, infant reflux can continue for a longer period of time, which is then known as infant gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Baby GERD is seen less frequently than infant reflux. 

Infant Reflux Diagnosis 

If your infant is exhibiting signs of baby reflux, your reflux specialist will conduct a short physical exam and ask questions regarding symptoms. If further testing is needed, your doctor might recommend some of the following diagnostic tests:

  • Esophageal pH monitoring. This test measures the acidity in the esophagus by inserting a thin tube through the nose or mouth and into the esophagus. This tube is attached to a monitor that measures acidity in your baby’s esophagus.

  • Upper endoscopy. Another test to diagnose GERD or reflux in babies is the upper endoscopy, which uses a tube called an endoscope equipped with a camera and light at the end. The tube is passed through your baby's mouth and into the esophagus to view any issues.

  • Barium swallow. This diagnostic method involves ingesting a contrast material called Barium before an X-ray. The barium allows radiologists to see inside the digestive tract to point out any abnormalities. 

If your baby is still experiencing regular reflux after he or she grows out of infancy, you should consult a reflux specialist to diagnose and treat your child. If you are looking for a reflux specialist in Tampa, call the specialists at Tampa Bay Reflux Center to schedule your appointment today.