In theory, gastroesophageal reflux decreases with age, but those who suffer from the older, the greater the complications in children under 18 months the prognosis is good, in children over 4 years (30% of children) suffer the symptoms and the problem has not abated, of which up to 10% resulting in severe complications.

As we know, gastroesophageal reflux is the result of an improper shutdown of the lower esophageal sphincter, ie the end that connects the esophagus and stomach, causing the passage of gastric or duodenal contents, into the esophagus involuntarily. The consequences are different problems, heartburn and regurgitation, discomfort and should be treated as heartburn or a burning sensation and pain that occurs in the esophagus resulting from regurgitation of gastric acid, would result in different lesions, esophagitis, irritation or inflammation of the stomach and of course, the worsening quality of life of those suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.

Information campaign on infant gastroesophageal reflux aims to improve quality of life of children suffering from the problem and offers several alternatives to address the problem, but always with the referral. For parents to better understand the gastroesophageal reflux and the consequences of this disease, it will proceed to offer some leaflets for distribution at health centers in Spain under the title Gastroesophageal reflux in children.

Raise awareness among parents and invite them to take the child to a specialist before the first symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, improve its quality of life by applying the most appropriate treatment by dietary, pharmacologic, and so on. Through Info gastro page you can learn more about the disease and how it affects children depending on age.

As they are not properly closed this valve, the gastric acid has a pH that causes burning in the pit of the stomach when gastric contents beyond the lower esophageal sphincter reaching the throat or mouth, we then talking about heartburn, feeling of burning or pain produced in the esophagus resulting from regurgitation of gastric acid.

Federico Arguelles, the head of the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, University Hospital Virgen Macarena in Seville, talks about this problem and indicates that at this type of discomfort is necessary to go to the specialist to prevent the child finishes developing reflux disease gastroesophageal, also called GERD. Heartburn can lead to injury of the esophagus or esophagitis, an inflammation or irritation of the esophagus that lessens the quality of life of the sufferer.

It is necessary to treat reflux esophagitis, for this the specialist will determine the causes, such as the presence of a hiatus hernia, reducing the effectiveness of esophageal antireflux mechanism, and so on. The lower esophageal sphincter is less developed in children and is much weaker there than in the first months of life is common for a child regurgitates, however, as it grows and the valve is growing stronger, the reflows should forward.

In some cases there is a persistence of involuntary returns of food and liquids that are swallowed, then problems arise sleeping child and the child experiences a series of difficulties that worsen their quality of life. Given the situation and as we said before, it is necessary to go to specialist for treatment.