Your child’s frequent coughing at night might not be allergies or a cold. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in children often hides behind symptoms that seem unrelated to stomach acid problems.
At our Brooklyn, New York, office, Steven D. Kushnick, MD, recognizes how childhood GERD disguises itself and treats the underlying acid reflux before it affects your child’s growth and development. Let’s explore five warning signs that acid reflux might be the underlying cause of your child’s symptoms.
Children with GERD rarely complain about heartburn the way adults do. Instead, stomach acid traveling up the esophagus triggers coughing fits that wake them repeatedly during the night. These episodes happen because acid reaches their throat and irritates the vocal cords.
Babies and toddlers with GERD often arch their backs during feeding or refuse to eat altogether. The backward arching happens because they’re trying to keep acid from traveling up their esophagus.
Older children might complain that food tastes bad or feels stuck in their throat. Feeding problems develop because their esophagus becomes inflamed from repeated acid exposure, making swallowing uncomfortable.
Persistent stomach acid irritation affects how children respond to normal situations. They become cranky during meals, resist lying down for naps, or seem unusually fussy without clear triggers.
GERD can trigger asthma-like symptoms when stomach acid reaches the lungs. Children may develop a chronic cough, wheezing, or breathing difficulties that don’t improve with typical asthma medications.
This happens because acid droplets get inhaled into the respiratory system, causing inflammation that mimics other breathing conditions. Dr. Kushnick looks for this connection when respiratory treatments aren’t working as expected.
Children with untreated GERD sometimes show slower weight gain because acid reflux interferes with proper nutrient absorption. They might eat smaller portions to avoid discomfort, or they lose nutrients when frequent vomiting occurs.
Height and weight measurements that fall below expected ranges can indicate that acid reflux is preventing adequate nutrition uptake in growing tissues.
Childhood GERD treatment varies based on how severely the condition affects daily activities. Dr. Kushnick evaluates each child’s specific situation before recommending treatment options.
Many cases improve with basic modifications:
These adjustments reduce the amount of acid in the stomach and prevent it from traveling back up the esophagus.
Acid-reducing medications can provide relief for children with GERD symptoms while their digestive system matures. These treatments work by decreasing stomach acid production or helping food move through the digestive system more quickly.
Dr. Kushnick monitors children on medications to ensure they’re growing properly and adjusts treatment as their bodies develop and/or the condition evolves.
Children with GERD need proper evaluation to prevent complications that can affect their development and quality of life. Dr. Kushnick’s experience with pediatric acid reflux helps identify the real cause behind your child’s concerning symptoms.
Call our Brooklyn, New York, office at 718-250-8520 today, or use our online booking tool to schedule an evaluation for your child at your convenience.
