GERD is the acronym for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. This condition is prevalent in adults and is also found very commonly in pediatric children also. This is not a serious problem if treated early.

However, if it is ignored and neglected it could become a serious problem especially with children. Though it is not very common it is estimated that five to eight percent of the children suffer from this problem.

The problem occurs when food which is supposed to go to the stomach doesn’t go into it properly because of a defect in the esophageal valve which does not close properly as a result of which semi-digested food having acidic content comes back to the Gastroesophageal tube.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of GERD

As a general rule, the symptoms of GERD for all pediatric children are almost the same with heart burn being the classic symptom. But the problem with children is that they would not be able to explain the symptoms properly which makes diagnosis and treatment that much difficult.

The best way therefore to diagnose pediatric GERD would be to put the child through a series of tests and examinations, which the doctor would understand the most. Some of the tests that are conducted could be pH probe entered through the nose to the bottom of the esophagus.

By this the doctor will be able to find out whether the valve at the junction of the stomach and the esophagus are functioning properly. There are also other methods of investigations which include technetium gastric emptying examination through which a very weak radioactive substance is combined with milk and sent into the stomach of the child.

Through a camera the milk is then followed and it is examined and found as to how long the milk stays in the stomach before moving further down. Also through this examination it is possible to find out whether the milk comes back and affects the lungs and other parts through acid reflux. There are also other methods such endoscopic which are also very useful in finding out this situation.

Medication and Treatment of pediatric GERD

Usually medication is avoided and not recommended for pediatric GERD to avoid any possible side effects that could encounter the child. According to some good doctors, the best treatment possible for GERD in pediatrics is by making slight alterations to life style and also making some changes in the sleeping habits.

The child should be made to sleep with the head on a slightly elevated platform to avoid regurgitation from taking place. Other effective methods of treating this problem could be by making the child to be more disciplined in his or her food habits.

There are other ways of treating it naturally and these include making the child to eat much early before going to bed so that the food gets digested properly and acid reflux situation is prevented.

Conclusion

On the whole pediatric GERD is not a very serious problem provided the diagnosis is made in the initial stages and necessary precautions and changes in life style is made so that it does not go out of hand and become serious.

The only serious problem that could be encountered with this disease is that it might affect the lungs and cause bronchitis and other severe problems such as COPD, Emphysema, etc. which then would indeed become a very serious problem.