Heartburn Symptoms in Children

Like adults, children also do suffer from heartburn. Studies show that about 10 to 12% of children endure heartburn. In most cases, it is gastroesophageal reflux, abbreviated as GER. Most of the children outgrow gastroesophageal reflux; only in rare cases does it become a case of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is not uncommon in children to vomit after a meal. This is often caused as a result of stomach contents along with the stomach acids making their way into the esophagus and upwards into the mouth. The most common of the heartburn symptoms in children is spitting. Let's see the causes, along with symptoms and remedies for heartburn in children.

What Causes Heartburn in Children?

The most common heartburn cause is poor coordination in the gastro-intestinal tract. It can also be caused due to relaxation of the muscular valve located between the stomach and esophagus. The other cause of heartburn is pressure exerted below the lower esophageal sphincter. In older children, heartburn can also be caused due to consumption of certain foods.

What are the Symptoms of Heartburn in Children?

Burning sensation either in the chest, neck or throat is termed as heartburn. The symptoms of heartburn in children are as follows:

• Chest pain is one of the symptoms. The acid makes its way into the esophagus, it causes pain behind the breastbone and sometimes also into the throat.
• When the stomach acids reflux back into the esophagus, it causes burning sensation in the throat and lower esophagus.
• Most infants, when they suffer from heartburn arch their back, while being fed.
• If the child refuses to eat, it can be due to heartburn.
• Most of the infants and children vomit, which is a symptom of indigestion and heartburn.
• Baby colic is also points to this condition in children.
• If your child suffers from recurrent bouts of choking or gagging, it can be attributed to heartburn.
• Many times, breathing problems are looked upon as respiratory tract problems, but they can also result from gastro-intestinal problems.
• The child can cry frequently and be fussy and may not be able to say it. It may be due to constant heartburn.

How to Treat Heartburn in Children?

After causes and symptoms of heartburn, we will see treatment measures for heartburn. Heartburn cures depend on the age of the child and cause of the problem. In most cases, elaborate treatment for heartburn may not be required as children do overcome the problem after they grow up a little. The heartburn remedies at home, which you can use to treat the condition in your child is to keep the child upright after feeding, for half an hour. The next is to try to burp the child. This will ensure that the stomach acids do not make their way into the esophagus. Giving the child smaller and frequent feedings will also help in heartburn relief. The best is to give the child rice cereal. This will help in decreasing the amount the child will regurgitate. If the child is yet breastfed, then you can pump the milk mix rice cereal with the milk and then feed the child. In case the child is on formula, then substitute one teaspoon of rice cereal for one ounce of formula. The natural heartburn remedies can be used for children so that they do not suffer from heartburn. If the child suffers from severe case of heartburn, then heartburn medicine may be given to the child after consulting a pediatrician.

If the symptoms in children do not go away on their own, you may want to seek medical opinion regarding the same. It is best not to self treat the child. Looking at the various symptoms the child displays, the pediatrician will be in a better position to treat the child.