About Reflux
Reflux is very common among infants and young children after eating and in most cases resolves by the age of one. Generally it occurs as an occasional regurgitation of the contents of the stomach, and may be due to a weakness in the muscle that acts as a valve between the oesophagus and the stomach that rectifies over time. In some children, however, it could be the sign of something more serious and require treatment.
Examination and Diagnosis
Dr McIntyre will thoroughly examine your child’s symptoms and their medical history. If they present with a swollen or bloated abdomen, irritability, fever, chronic diarrhoea, poor weight gain, weight loss or sudden forceful vomiting, they may be diagnosed with a condition requiring medication or even surgical intervention. These more serious symptoms can be a sign your child has a food allergy, an intestinal obstruction, or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).
Treatment
If your child has reflux complications or GORD, Dr McIntyre may recommend an endoscopy to examine the oesophageal lining using a special camera under anaesthetic. This test will enable her to determine if medication is useful in treating your child’s symptoms or if they are due to another condition.