In infants, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, can cause spitting up or projectile vomiting after feeding. This happens because there is a problem with the muscle at the end of the esophagus leading to the stomach. The muscle has problems closing, which allows food to back up into the esophagus, causing the infant to vomit. If the problem isn’t treated properly, the infant could have serious health problems or could even have trouble thriving.
H2 Blockers
An H2 blocker is a medication that keeps the stomach from producing too much acid. Although H2 blockers don’t provide relief immediately, they can bring relief within an hour, and they continue to work for a long period of time. A doctor must prescribe these medicines; she will decide the correct dosage for the child based on weight. The most common H2 blockers prescribed by doctors, according to Family Doctor, are ranitidine and famotidine.
Prokinetic Agents
Prokinetic agents do not work to reduce the amount of acid the stomach produces, nor do they work to neutralize the acid that is present. What they do is speed up the process of digestion so the stomach will have less time to produce an excess amount of stomach acid. This means that food will move through the digestive tract more quickly. American Family Physician says that cisapride and metoclopramide are the most common prokinetic agents.
Proton Pump Inhibitors
A proton pump inhibitor is a more effective way to reduce the production of acid in the stomach. These medicines are stronger than H2 blockers, and doctors usually prescribe them when the H2 blockers fail to yield the desired effects with the infant. These drugs have few side effects, so they are usually safe for long-term use. Proton pump inhibitors work by blocking the ability of the hydrogen/potassium adenosine triphosphatase enzyme system, also known as the gastric proton pump, to produce acid.
Rice Cereal
Sometimes treatment for GERD can be as simple as adding a little rice cereal to an infant’s formula to thicken it up. The doctor will be able to advise how much rice cereal should be used, and how often. When you feed the baby, she should be in an upright position so the formula will stay down. Kids Health says some doctors recommend inclining a baby’s bed 6 to 8 inches to reduce the occurrence of GERD.
