Infants who regurgitate are prone to reflux later
14 June 2002
Adelaide researchers say infants and toddlers who frequently vomit or regurgitate after feeding are prone to gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms by the time they are 9 years old.
Children who vomited or regurgitated on more than 90 days by the time they were 2 years old were more than twice as likely to have one or more reflux symptoms than children who didn't vomit or regurgitate (Pediatrics 2002; 109: 1061-67).
Gender, breastfeeding and exposure to tobacco smoke did not affect the risk of vomiting or regurgitation, but smoke exposure was linked to reflux symptoms at 9 years.
Children were more likely to vomit or regurgitate and have reflux symptoms if their mothers, but not fathers, had a history of reflux.
Prospective follow-up of 693 children born at Adelaide's Queen Victoria Hospital showed more than 40 per cent of 3- and 4-month-old children vomited or regurgitated daily after most feeds.
But fewer than 5 per cent of children were still vomiting or regurgitating after meals by the age of 13 to 14 months.
Last Reviewed: 18 June 2002
- 1. Medical Observer Weekly 14/6/02
