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Acid Reflux
Diagnosing Acid Reflux
in Infants
If your baby is healthy and growing well,
the doctor may make a diagnosis of reflux on
a parent's description of symptoms and
feeding history, and a physical exam alone.
However, your baby's doctor may order tests
if he or she suspects a more serious
condition, such as GERD. In these cases,
diagnostic tests may include:
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Lab tests. This can consist of various blood and urine tests
to identify or rule out possible causes of recurring vomiting
and poor weight gain.
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Esophageal pH monitoring. This test will measure the acidity
in your baby's esophagus.
PH Monitor Examination is done with a thin, plastic tube with a
sensor that measures the amount of acid backing up into the
esophagus. This procedure is often done when GERD symptoms are
present but an endoscope exam doesn't detect.
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The
doctor inserts a tubular probe through the nose and
into the esophagus. The tube stops just above the
lower esophageal sphincter (LES).
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The
tube is left in place for 24 hours. The patient is
encouraged to engage in normal activities.
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The patient keeps a record of any
symptoms that are suspected to be acid reflux. The
patient also will record other symptoms, such as
coughing and wheezing. This can help the doctor
determine if acid reflux is related to unexplained
asthmatic or other respiratory symptoms.
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Upper endoscopy.
A tube with a camera lens and light is
inserted through your baby's mouth and into esophagus and
stomach. The doctor may use this procedure to see if there is a
narrowing (stricture) or inflammation (esophagitis) in the
esophagus.
The upper endoscopy (also known as esophagogastroduodenoscopy or
EGD) allows the doctor to examine the inside of the patient's
esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the first part of the small
intestine) with an instrument called an endoscope, a thin
flexible lighted tube. The doctor will be able to see the walls
and tissue of the upper digestive tract, and will be able to
detect disorders such as strictures (narrowed areas), hiatal
hernias, ulcers and tumors.
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The patient is not to eat anything for at least six
hours before the procedure.
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A local anesthetic will be sprayed into the
patient's throat to suppress the gag reflex, and an
intravenous sedative that will help the patient
relax.
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The endoscope is then slowly passed into the
patient's mouth and down the esophagus.
The gag reflex and the urge to vomit usually pass once the tube
is in the esophagus. The tube will not interfere with breathing.
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Once the endoscope is in place, the doctor will be
able to examine the esophagus and stomach through a
tiny camera, and detect any abnormalities. Other
instruments can be inserted through the endoscope
tube, which will allow the doctor to perform
biopsies if such conditions as cancer or infections
are evident.
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The patient may experience a sore throat for a few
days after the procedure. This is common. If
complications, such as vomiting a large amount of
blood or severe stomach pains, occur, the doctor
should be notified immediately.
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