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Suggest Treatment For Gastroesophageal Reflux In Infant
Question: hi can you help me, my child is 8 weeks old and from he was born he has been in pain after every feed. he arches his back and neck always blowing bubbles and he is always unsettled all the time , he could be sitting there smiling at you one minute and then he would be screaming with pain where he wold hold his breath could this be silent reflux.
Brief Answer:
I would like to rule out gastroesophageal reflux
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query
Arching back of neck with uneasiness after feed on this age is mostly due to gastroesophageal reflux(GER).I would like to rule out GER.
Small degree of GER is common in this age but once the baby gets symptomatic like regurgitation of feed,poor weight gain,arching it needs to be medically treated.
The best way of diagnosis is to give some acid reducing agent like ranitidine or lansoprazole with prokinetic like domperidone.All these are prescription medicine please get it prescribed by a physician.
I would like to know if he born preterm or is there any history of delayed cry?
Is there any increase in tone or up rolling of eye ball/vacant look?
These conditions are risk factor for seizure and sometimes arching may be due to seizure.
Keep the baby in upright position after feed for few minutes and burp well to release the gas.
Also keep the baby upright while sleeping.
Avoid omega 3,6,9 in the infant formulas as these can have some side effects. Breast feeding is best.
I hope all these measure will help.
If the symptom persists even after taking all these measures I would suggest you to consult a pediatrician for evaluation and to rule out possibility of seizure if any.
I shall be glad to answer if you have any more query
Regards
I would like to rule out gastroesophageal reflux
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query
Arching back of neck with uneasiness after feed on this age is mostly due to gastroesophageal reflux(GER).I would like to rule out GER.
Small degree of GER is common in this age but once the baby gets symptomatic like regurgitation of feed,poor weight gain,arching it needs to be medically treated.
The best way of diagnosis is to give some acid reducing agent like ranitidine or lansoprazole with prokinetic like domperidone.All these are prescription medicine please get it prescribed by a physician.
I would like to know if he born preterm or is there any history of delayed cry?
Is there any increase in tone or up rolling of eye ball/vacant look?
These conditions are risk factor for seizure and sometimes arching may be due to seizure.
Keep the baby in upright position after feed for few minutes and burp well to release the gas.
Also keep the baby upright while sleeping.
Avoid omega 3,6,9 in the infant formulas as these can have some side effects. Breast feeding is best.
I hope all these measure will help.
If the symptom persists even after taking all these measures I would suggest you to consult a pediatrician for evaluation and to rule out possibility of seizure if any.
I shall be glad to answer if you have any more query
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
sorry but are you telling me it is not gerd that he has. and if I went to the doctor and explained what is wrong would the doctor describe theses medics for me.or would I have to go to and paediatrician.
he was full term and there was no delayed crying, and he does not roll up his eyes when crying .
he was full term and there was no delayed crying, and he does not roll up his eyes when crying .
Brief Answer:
To me it appears to be due to GERD
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the follow up
I am sorry if my words were not clear to you. By saying 'I would like to rule out GER' I meant to say that this is the first possibility I am thinking of and would like to rule it out first by giving medication and to see the response, whether the symptoms are improving.If the symptoms get improved it suggests the diagnosis of GER.
As the suggested medications are prescription medicines I request you to get it prescribed by a physician so that you can get it easily in the pharmacy.
As there is no risk factor and history is also not suggestive the possibility of seizure is very unlikely.
Regards
To me it appears to be due to GERD
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the follow up
I am sorry if my words were not clear to you. By saying 'I would like to rule out GER' I meant to say that this is the first possibility I am thinking of and would like to rule it out first by giving medication and to see the response, whether the symptoms are improving.If the symptoms get improved it suggests the diagnosis of GER.
As the suggested medications are prescription medicines I request you to get it prescribed by a physician so that you can get it easily in the pharmacy.
As there is no risk factor and history is also not suggestive the possibility of seizure is very unlikely.
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. Vaishalee Punj
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