Understanding and Managing Newborn Acid Reflux: Symptoms & Diagnosis

Newborns are often afflicted with acid reflux, which is acid backing up out of the stomach to the throat. This occurs because the sphincter muscles at the base of the esophagus, which normally open to allow gas to escape the stomach, are not mature enough to hold milk in the stomach.

Symptoms

• Babies with poor weight gain, difficulty breathing, frequent sore throats and/or frequent ear or sinus infections are more prone toward the more severe form of acid reflex.

Physical Exam

• The doctor will perform a physical exam, checking for swelling of the stomach, abnormal stools or sour breath.

Laboratory Testing

• The doctor will typically take blood, fecal and/or urine samples for evaluation by the laboratory.

Upper Endoscopy

• A thin flexible plastic tube with a miniature camera on the end is passed through the mouth and into the esophagus to allow the doctor to check for abnormalities.

PH Monitoring

• A thin flexible plastic tube is inserted into the esophagus via the throat to test the PH and acidity levels.