Question: What are the symptoms of GER and GERD in children?
Answer: Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) vary by age among children. Symptoms of GER and GERD in older children and teens may be similar to symptoms in adults. Symptoms in young children may be more similar to those seen in infants.

GER and GERD commonly cause symptoms such as

heartburn, a painful, burning feeling in the middle of the chest, behind the breastbone, rising from the lower tip of the breastbone toward the throat. Heartburn is more common in older children and teens than in young children.
regurgitation, orstomachcontents coming back up through theesophagusand into the throat or mouth, which may cause a child to taste food or stomach acid.Vomitingmay occur along with regurgitation.

However, not all children with GER or GERD have heartburn or regurgitation. Other symptoms may include

nausea
pain in the chest or the upper part of the abdomen
problems swallowing or pain while swallowing
symptoms ofcomplications in the mouth, throat, or lungs, such ascough,hoarseness, or wheezing

Symptoms of GERD may include cough.

In children who are too young to describe their symptoms well, parents may notice signs of GER or GERD such as

arching of the back and abnormal movements of the neck and chin
irritability or crying more than usual
loss of appetite or refusing to eat
poor growth, weight loss, or gaining less weight than expected

Call a doctor right away if your child has signs or symptoms that could be related to a serious health problem other than GERD or a GERD complication. Examples include

problems breathing
problems swallowing or pain while swallowing
refusing food repeatedly, causing weight loss or poor growth
signs ofbleeding in the digestive tract, such asvomit that contains blood or looks like coffee groundsrectal bleeding or stool that contains blood
vomit that contains blood or looks like coffee grounds
rectal bleeding or stool that contains blood
signs ofdehydration, such as no tears when he or she cries
vomitingin large amountsthat is regularly forceful, also called projectile vomitingwithbilein the vomit, which makes the vomit green or yellow in color
in large amounts
that is regularly forceful, also called projectile vomiting
withbilein the vomit, which makes the vomit green or yellow in color
Question: What causes GER and GERD in children?
Answer: The lower esophageal sphincter and diaphragm most often prevent GER, which is when stomach contents come back up into the esophagus. However, having GER once in a while is common.

GERD may develop if the lower esophageal sphincter becomes weak or relaxes when it shouldn’t, which may occur due to

beingoverweight, havingobesity, or having a largewaist size
inhaling secondhand smoke
factors that are more common in teens, such as smoking or pregnancy

Children are more likely to have GERD if they have health conditions that affect the upper GI tract, including

conditions that affect the nervous system, such ascerebral palsy
conditions that affect the lungs, such ascystic fibrosis
hiatal hernia, a condition in which the opening in the diaphragm lets the upper part of the stomach move up into the chest
previous surgery to correctesophageal atresia, a type of birth defect

Some medicines can cause GERD or make GERD symptoms worse. Talk with your child’s doctor about any medicines he or she takes and whether those medicines could play a role in GERD.