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Suggest Treatment For Gag Reflex In Infants

Posted on Mon, 22 Aug 2016

Question: What is hyper active reflex in a 7 day old boy. He was shaking for a while and gets startled.

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It can be found in many children.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I think that you are referring to Hyperactive gag reflex in a newborn. The gag reflex is usually situated far back in the infant’s mouth to allow them to bring the nipple almost to the junction of hard palate and soft palate. However, certain babies present a very sensitive and hyperactive gag reflex and which causes gagging more easily. For these babies, a good, deep latch can stimulate this gag reflex. In order to avoid gagging, infants will develop a shallow latch taking less breast tissue into the mouth.

I hope that you would find the following links helpful:
https://www.medigoo.com/articles/hyperactive-gag-reflex/
http://pediatricfeedingnews.com/hypersensitive-gag-reflex-and-pediatric-feeding-delays-by-donna-scarborough-ph-d-ccc-slp-bcs-s-miami-university-oxford-oh-scarbodmuohio-edu/

The shaking for a while and getting startled is part of a different reflex called Moro reflex. It is normal in children and nothing to be concerned about.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (16 minutes later)

It's not hyper active "gag" reflex, rather, hyper active reflex. My grandson is .8 days old and my daughter took him into the Emergency Room when his body started to shake for 5+ minutes. Prior to that since he was 2 days old he would get startled by noise. The body shaked the moth or throat did not cause him to gag. That is another type of reflex he DOES NOT have.

Thank you. I'd appreciate an answer regards what is hype active reflex - with the body not mouth.

Michael Blumenthal

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
The calcium levels need to be checked.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for clarification.

The shakiness of the body as described by you, could be jitteriness. Hyperactive reflex and jitteriness can be caused by low calcium levels or hypocalcemia but can also be normal. A clinical examination is required for confirmation and it has to be backed up with a blood test for calcium levels.

The startling is entirely normal and nothing to be concerned about.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (4 hours later)

Thank you for your advice and professionalism. Do you mind if I ask what country you practice medicine.

Michael

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Glad to help

Detailed Answer:
I am from XXXXXXX and practice there.

Regards

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar