GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX -WHEN AND HOW TO TREAT

Diagnosing and investigating GORD

 Recognise regurgitation of feeds as a common and normal occurrence in infants that:

is due to gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) – a normal physiological process in infancydoes not usually need any investigation or treatment is managed by advising and reassuring parents and carers.

 Be aware that in a small proportion of infants, GOR may be associated with signs of distress or may lead to certain recognised complications that need clinical management. This is known as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).

Give advice about GOR and reassure parents and carers that in well infants,

effortless regurgitation of feeds: is very common (it affects at least 40% of infants)

usually begins before the infant is 8 weeks old

may be frequent (5% of those affected have 6 or more episodes each day)

usually becomes less frequent with time (it resolves in 90% of affected infants before

they are 1 year old) does not usually need further investigation or treatment