Reflux in infants is a common condition that occurs when food and acid in the stomach flow backwards into the esophagus or mouth, explains Up To Date, a peer-reviewed medical website for patients. Parents should talk with their pediatricians if they have concerns about any of the symptoms of reflux in infants.
Spitting Up
During the first three months of life, over 50 percent of infants develop symptoms of reflux, report health officials at the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. One of the most common symptoms of reflux in infants is spitting up (regurgitation). When an infant spits up, they expel small amounts of liquid, food and acid from the stomach. This occurs because the lower esophageal sphincter--the valve that connects the esophagus to the stomach--can become easily irritated in infants, and may open at the wrong time. As a result, the contents of an infant's stomach may escape into the throat or mouth, causing spit up symptoms.
Coughing
In a December 2001 article published in the journal "American Family Physician," Dr. Andrew Jung at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita explained the clinical features of reflux in infants. Throat irritation caused by the abnormal presence of stomach acid within the esophagus, throat and mouth can lead to coughing symptoms in some infants. Jung explained that severe cases of reflux can cause breathing problems, such as chronic cough or wheezing, to arise in affected infants. If these symptoms of reflux persist after an infant turns one year old, they may have gastroesophageal reflux disease, a more serious form of reflux that requires evaluation by a pediatrician.
Irritability
If an infant experiences frequent episodes of reflux symptoms, they may become unusually fussy or irritable. Reflux can become uncomfortable and may cause an infant to develop an upset stomach or abdominal bloating. Excess gas in the stomach can cause cramping, which may cause a child to cry or become restless--especially after drinking a bottle or nursing, warns Kids Health, a children's health information website established by the Nemours Foundation. If an infant refuses to eat or is inconsolable, then their parents should contact a pediatrician.
Growth Delays
Severe cases of reflux can cause growth delays in some infants. Excessive irritation of the esophagus or stomach may result in an infant's refusal to eat, explains Kids Health. When this occurs, an infant may not gain weight normally, leading to developmental, weight and growth delays. Infants who experience growth delays due to reflux may also be at an increased risk of developing respiratory complications or changes in mental and cognitive behavior, warns Jung.
