What is the difference between GER and GERD?
GER (Gastro Esophageal Reflux) represents a benign condition in which the child is having frequent “reflux” episodes. This is also called “Functional GER” and does not cause complications, lead to long term problems, affect growth or development or even necessarily require medical intervention. GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease) is when complications arise. GERD is a pathological process and the complications can be typical (failure to thrive, feeding and oral aversions, esophagitis, etc) or atypical (wheezing, pneumonia, chronic sinusitis, etc). Patients with GERD have complications arising from their GER that necessitate medical intervention.
