Pediatric Reflux
Children may struggle to describe their symptoms related to reflux disorders as accurately as adults, and this often prevents their condition from being successfully diagnosed. Parents who suspect that their child may be suffering from a reflux disorder should schedule an appointment with an ENT physician for testing immediately in order to avoid long-term damage. The most common types of reflux disorders in children include:
Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) – The most common symptom of GERD is heartburn, which is a sensation that may be difficult for a child to describe. Instead, children are likely to complain of discomfort or pain in their stomach. Additional symptoms can include:
- Poor appetite/weight loss
- Difficulty swallowing
- Crying/irritability
- Sore throat
- Cough/throat clearing
- Sinus infections
- Ear infections
Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)Â is another reflux disorder that causes swelling in the soft tissues in the back of the throat. The result is a sensation of phlegm that cannot be cleared. In pediatric patients, common symptoms of LPR include:
- Wet cough (croup)
- Bitter taste in the back of the throat
- Sleep-disordered breathing/sleep apnea
- Hoarseness
- Noisy breathing
- Asthma
- Aspiration
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