What is Silent Reflux?
Not all infants suffering from reflux actually vomit; some may have what is termed silent reflux- where the stomach contents only come part way up the esophagus. Because there is no vomiting the it is harder to tell. Some children may swallow the refluxed material (refluxate) back down instead of throwing it up, in some kids it may not come up enough to actually come out the mouth. This can be much more difficult to diagnose, since the most common symptoms are not present. It can also be more damaging as the refluxate burns the esophagus on the way up and again on the way down. Whether or not the silent reflux needs to be treated depends on the complications that are arising from it.
