Reflux is the word used to describe what happens when the stomach contents come back up into the gullet or into the mouth.
There are very important differences between gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) and gastrooesophageal reflux disease (GORD) when describing the difference between reflux in babies.
These differences can be summarized as follows:
GOR is normal, GORD is a disease.
GOR refers to the passage of stomach contents from the stomach into the oesophagus (spelt esophagus in the US). It sometimes enters the throat or mouth, and in infants it is often ejected from the mouth. Some degree of GOR is a normal occurrence in individuals of all ages, especially during and immediately after meals. It is usually normal if it causes few, infrequent symptoms, or none at all. In contrast, at all ages, GORD is present when reflux causes symptoms that are troublesome, severe, or of longstanding; and/or if reflux causes a complication, the most common being damage to the oesophagus ("
oesophagitis").
The diaphragm is the muscle which separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. As the oesophagus passes through the diaphragm, the diaphragm acts like a valve - stopping stomach contents from going backwards up the oesophagus. Doctors refer to this valve mechanism as a
sphincter. (see diagram below)
Sometimes the valve action isn't as strong as it could be. In babies it is because the sphincter action of the diaphragm isn't fully developed. During the first year of a baby's life, the sphincter action gradually gets stronger and their chance of having reflux decreases.
Around 50% of babies will get some reflux but in only a small percentage of these is it a real problem. At the age of 10 months the number is down to about one in twenty babies.
So the large majority of infants, GOR is a normal occurrence that they will outgrow with time, the introduction of solid foods, and assuming the upright position, i.e., walking. Such infants are almost always happy even after regurgitating.
Reflux in babies is very common so don't worry. If it is a concern then visit your GP and have a chat; in the meantime try and keep your baby upright as much as possible whilst feeding, playing and sleeping.
