GERD may be difficult to detect in
infants and children. Symptoms may vary
from typical adult symptoms. GERD in
children may cause repeated vomiting,
effortless spitting up, coughing, and
other respiratory problems.
Inconsolable crying, failure to gain
adequate weight, refusing food and bad
breath are also common. Children may
have one symptom or many - no single
symptom is universally present in all
children with GERD.
Babies' immature digestive systems are
usually the cause, and most infants
stop having acid reflux by the time
they reach their first birthday. Some
children don't outgrow acid reflux,
however, and continue to have it into
their teen years. Children that have
had heartburn that doesn't seem to go
away, or any other symptoms of GERD for
a while, should talk to their parents
and visit their doctor.
