Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when the sphincter of the lower esophagus either fails or works insufficiently, which allows the contents of the stomach to regurgitate backward up through the esophagus. According to the National Library of Medicine, GERD is common among infants; the library estimates that half of all infants have GERD by the time they are 3 months old.
Vomiting
The regurgitation of the stomach contents back into the esophagus will cause vomiting or spitting up in infants. This can lead to breathing problems and often manifests itself as apnea. Apnea is pauses in breathing, occurring while infants are napping. These pauses may last a few seconds to 30 seconds in more severe cases. Infants with GERD are also at risk of aspiration which occurs when fluids enter the airway and lungs. While vomiting occurs frequently in infants, those with serious cases of reflux can have projectile vomiting. In severe cases the fluid may be yellow or green, which would indicate that digestive contents of the stomach are being vomited.
Weight Loss
Excessive vomiting in infants can cause weight loss. According to About Kids Health, average, healthy infants gain weight at a rate of 1 ounce per day from birth to 3 months old, and between the ages of 4 to 12 months, infants gain at a rate of 0.7 ounces per month. Infants with GERD are not able to meet these averages because of the inability to keep food in their systems.
Failure to Thrive
Infants that do not meet the expected average growth guidelines often are diagnosed as failing to thrive. Vomiting can cause this symptom because of nutrients are not taken into the system. Poor feeding habits can be a contributing factor as well. Infants may begin to associate feedings with pain and discomfort associated with acid reflux and become resistant to feedings.
Bleeding
Infants with acid reflux may vomit blood because of deterioration of the esophageal walls. Blood may also be seen in the stool as a result of ulcers, a secondary problem that may occur with acid reflux.
