Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease

Gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) is a physiological phenomenon occurring in every individual. Gastro-esophageal reflux Disease (GERD) is a pathological condition where the reflux into the esophagus causes local changes and aspiration of the gastric contents in to the lungs can cause serious, even life threatening conditions. GERD is common but under-diagnosed condition in children. There are fundamental differences in the pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnostic evaluation and treatment in children and adults. Hence it is important to distinguish a benign and developmentally normal physiological event from a possible pathological process GERD. Most of neurologically normal children with GER have an excellent prognosis. Only children with ‘red flag ’signs require intervention.