The professional organization of pediatric gastroenterologists, the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) recently released new treatment guidelines for infants and children with Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). The first treatment guidelines were developed in 2001. Since then, new research has lead to changes in our understanding of GER and GERD. In addition, new tests, treatments and medications have been developed for infants and children.
The Pediatric Gastroesophageal Reflux Clinical Practical Guidelines were developed by an international group of pediatric gastroenterologists (specialists in the care of infants and children with diseases of the digestive system) and epidemiologists (physicians who study diseases). They reviewed 600 research articles to refine the definition of GER and GERD and develop guidelines for pediatricians and gastroenterologists in diagnosis, testing and treatment.
You might want to take a look at the document: http://www.naspghan.org/user-assets/Documents/pdf/PositionPapers/FINAL%20-%20JPGN%20GERD%20guideline.pdf. At 50 pages, it is full of information on all aspects of diagnosis and treatment of reflux but it is a little heavy reading for the average parent! A few parents and professionals have already sent me some feedback and comments on the guidelines. In a future Sharepost, I will ask a pediatric gastroenterologist to translate this document into some news we can use as parents of infants and children with reflux. Stay tuned!
- Font size
- Email This
- Bookmark
- Was this helpful? Yes
- Save
- RSS
- Report Abuse
