During the first few months of life, infants may be too sleepy or may be very irritable, especially during feedings. Some have hypersensitivity to being touched around or inside the mouth, even by a nipple. Other typical symptoms include choking, gagging, thrusting movements of the tongue, and refusal to eat in the usual manner. Children with reflux may stop breathing briefly when this happens, or have unusual spells which mimic seizures. For example, some children will arch their neck and turn their head sideways.
Constipation is also more common among children with neurologic problems.
Constipation refers to either incomplete or infrequent emptying of the large bowel, leading to formation of a large, hard and dry mass of fecal material. If left untreated, this often results in abdominal discomfort which may in turn lead to poor appetite and fecal impaction. This is a general term that is used to describe a child who cannot maintain age appropriate weight and length for any of several reasons. In most cases, the parents and other caretakers have tried a number of ways to care for this problem with little success. At times the failure to thrive results from the child's inablity to suck and swallow, and so take in adequate amounts of formula or milk, and solids.