Reflux in babies usually goes away on its own by about one year of age. However, babies and children with symptoms of GERD should see a doctor.
Your specialist at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital Center for Digestive Health and Nutrition will ask about your child’s symptoms and any other conditions they may have. For example, children with asthma often have reflux or GERD as well. Your specialists will also do a physical exam.
The physical exam and symptoms may be enough to diagnose reflux. If your specialist suspects your child may have GERD, they may suggest one or more of the following tests:
- Blood or urine tests. These can help rule out a more serious condition.
- PH monitoring. This checks the level of stomach acid in the child’s esophagus.
- Upper endoscopy. During this test, your child is sedated and the doctor passes a thin, flexible tube with a camera through your child’s mouth and into the stomach. This test can show inflammation, infection, ulcers and other problems.
- Barium study. During this test, your child swallows a chalky liquid called barium, which is then tracked through the upper part of their digestive system with X-rays. This ensures the anatomy or position of the upper part of the GI tract is normal. It can also look for a hiatal hernia.
