What Causes Reflux in Babies and Children?
Most of the time, reflux in babies is due to a poorly coordinated gastrointestinal tract. Many infants with the condition are otherwise healthy; however, some infants can have problems affecting their nerves, brain, or muscles. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, a child’s immature digestive system is usually to blame. They add that most infants grow out of GERD by the time they are 1 year old. In older children, the causes of GERD are often the same as those seen in adults. Anything that causes the muscular valve between the stomach and esophagus (the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES) to relax, or anything that increases the pressure below the LES, can cause GERD. Certain factors also may contribute to GERD, including obesity, overeating, certain foods, some beverages, and specific medications. There also appears to be an inherited component to GERD, as it is more common in some families than in others.
