GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease) Program in Children

Vomiting is a very common condition in childhood. Although it is mostly accompanied by temporary and benign diseases, one of the most important causes is gastroesophageal reflux (GER). GER is defined as the involuntary leakage of stomach contents into the esophagus.

Due to developmental slowness in the first 2 months, physiological reflux may occur in the first hour after meals and at the beginning of sleep. Pathological results may occur when the passage of acidic fluid in the stomach into the esophagus is prolonged or increases in number.

Gastroesophageal reflux may present symptoms or be asymptomatic, and diagnosis can only be made when complications occur. Medical treatment should last at least 6 months. In GER with apnea periods in infancy, surgical treatment may be considered when there is no response to medical treatment.

Surgical treatment should be applied in cases older than two years of age, with recurrent esophagitis development, unresponsive to medical treatment, and in cases where reflux is detected in pH meters performed under medical treatment. Since the risk of developing GERD is high in children with neurological involvement who will be fed through gastrostomy for a long time, surgical treatment is more beneficial than medical treatment.