Which of the following is the earliest indicator of pathological gastroesophageal reflux in infants (GERD) –
Recurrent Respiratory Symptoms (Wheezing, stridor, chronic cough apnea, aspiration) are the earliest indicator of Pathological Reflux (GERD) amongst the options provided.
`The most frequent complications of Gastroesophageal Reflux disease (pathological Reflux) in infants are failure to thrive and recurrent pulmonary symptoms'.
Gastroesophagial reflux disease (GE ) in infants

Gastroesophagial reflux refers to the passage of gastric contents into the esophagus or orpharynx.
GERD is one of the most frequent problems among infants.
Reflux in infants usually develops when they are between two to four weeks old. Within 6-9 months, the acid reflux starts subsiding and it resolves in most of the cases.

Clinical features

Post-prandial regurgitation is the most common and probably the earliest syptom of GERD. However, the presence of post-prandial regurgitation does not suggest pathological nature of reflux process as regurgitation is also seen in normal infants.
Pathological reflux or GERD is said to be present when frequency and/or duration of reflux episodes results in troublesome symptoms and complications (esophagitis or pulmonary).
Symptoms of GERD are failure to thrive, poor weight gain, feeding refusal, recurrent vomiting, generalized irritability, respiratory symptoms and arching/bradycardia.

Treatment
Conservative measure's may be adequate to treat uncomplicated, mild GERD in infants, however, when therapy is necessary for 2 weeks or longer, proton-pump inhibitors are the treatment of choice in children.
Remember

Most common and earliest symptom of GERD in infant --> Regurgitation.
For diagnosing pathological GERD regurgitation alone is not enough as there is physiological reflux (regurgitation)in normal infants.
Regurgitation plus one or more troublesome symptoms (Respiratory symptoms, failure to thrive, poor weight gain, etc) are required to indicate pathological GERD.

Gastroesophagial reflux disease (GE ) in infants

Gastroesophagial reflux refers to the passage of gastric contents into the esophagus or orpharynx.
GERD is one of the most frequent problems among infants.
Reflux in infants usually develops when they are between two to four weeks old. Within 6-9 months, the acid reflux starts subsiding and it resolves in most of the cases.

Clinical features

Post-prandial regurgitation is the most common and probably the earliest syptom of GERD. However, the presence of post-prandial regurgitation does not suggest pathological nature of reflux process as regurgitation is also seen in normal infants.
Pathological reflux or GERD is said to be present when frequency and/or duration of reflux episodes results in troublesome symptoms and complications (esophagitis or pulmonary).
Symptoms of GERD are failure to thrive, poor weight gain, feeding refusal, recurrent vomiting, generalized irritability, respiratory symptoms and arching/bradycardia.

Treatment
Conservative measure's may be adequate to treat uncomplicated, mild GERD in infants, however, when therapy is necessary for 2 weeks or longer, proton-pump inhibitors are the treatment of choice in children.
Remember

Most common and earliest symptom of GERD in infant --> Regurgitation.
For diagnosing pathological GERD regurgitation alone is not enough as there is physiological reflux (regurgitation)in normal infants.
Regurgitation plus one or more troublesome symptoms (Respiratory symptoms, failure to thrive, poor weight gain, etc) are required to indicate pathological GERD.


Gastroesophagial reflux disease (GE ) in infants

Gastroesophagial reflux refers to the passage of gastric contents into the esophagus or orpharynx.
GERD is one of the most frequent problems among infants.
Reflux in infants usually develops when they are between two to four weeks old. Within 6-9 months, the acid reflux starts subsiding and it resolves in most of the cases.

Clinical features

Post-prandial regurgitation is the most common and probably the earliest syptom of GERD. However, the presence of post-prandial regurgitation does not suggest pathological nature of reflux process as regurgitation is also seen in normal infants.
Pathological reflux or GERD is said to be present when frequency and/or duration of reflux episodes results in troublesome symptoms and complications (esophagitis or pulmonary).
Symptoms of GERD are failure to thrive, poor weight gain, feeding refusal, recurrent vomiting, generalized irritability, respiratory symptoms and arching/bradycardia.

Treatment
Conservative measure's may be adequate to treat uncomplicated, mild GERD in infants, however, when therapy is necessary for 2 weeks or longer, proton-pump inhibitors are the treatment of choice in children.
Remember

Most common and earliest symptom of GERD in infant --> Regurgitation.
For diagnosing pathological GERD regurgitation alone is not enough as there is physiological reflux (regurgitation)in normal infants.
Regurgitation plus one or more troublesome symptoms (Respiratory symptoms, failure to thrive, poor weight gain, etc) are required to indicate pathological GERD.

Gastroesophagial reflux disease (GE ) in infants

Gastroesophagial reflux refers to the passage of gastric contents into the esophagus or orpharynx.
GERD is one of the most frequent problems among infants.
Reflux in infants usually develops when they are between two to four weeks old. Within 6-9 months, the acid reflux starts subsiding and it resolves in most of the cases.

Clinical features

Post-prandial regurgitation is the most common and probably the earliest syptom of GERD. However, the presence of post-prandial regurgitation does not suggest pathological nature of reflux process as regurgitation is also seen in normal infants.
Pathological reflux or GERD is said to be present when frequency and/or duration of reflux episodes results in troublesome symptoms and complications (esophagitis or pulmonary).
Symptoms of GERD are failure to thrive, poor weight gain, feeding refusal, recurrent vomiting, generalized irritability, respiratory symptoms and arching/bradycardia.

Treatment
Conservative measure's may be adequate to treat uncomplicated, mild GERD in infants, however, when therapy is necessary for 2 weeks or longer, proton-pump inhibitors are the treatment of choice in children.
Remember

Most common and earliest symptom of GERD in infant --> Regurgitation.
For diagnosing pathological GERD regurgitation alone is not enough as there is physiological reflux (regurgitation)in normal infants.
Regurgitation plus one or more troublesome symptoms (Respiratory symptoms, failure to thrive, poor weight gain, etc) are required to indicate pathological GERD.
Respiratory Symptoms
Postprandial Regurgitation
Upper GI Bleed
Stricture Esophagus