Symptoms in the Throat. Less commonly, GERD may produce symptoms that occur in the throat:

• Acid laryngitis. A condition that includes hoarseness, dry cough, the sensation of having a lump in the throat, and the need to repeatedly clear the throat.
• Trouble swallowing (dysphagia). In severe cases, patients may choke or food may become trapped in the esophagus, causing severe chest pain. This may indicate a temporary spasm that narrows the tube, or it could indicate serious esophageal damage or abnormalities.
• Chronic sore throat
• Persistent hiccups

Coughing and Respiratory Symptoms. Airway symptoms, such as coughing and wheezing, may occur.

Chronic Nausea and Vomiting. Nausea that persists for weeks or even months, and is not traced back to a common cause of stomach upset, may be a symptom of acid reflux. In rare cases, vomiting can occur as often as once a day. All other causes of chronic nausea and vomiting should be ruled out, including ulcers, stomach cancer, obstruction, and pancreas or gallbladder disorders.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Children

GERD is very common in children of all ages, but it is usually mild. Symptoms usually get better in most infants by age 12 months, and in nearly all children by 24 months. Children with the following conditions are at higher risk for severe GERD:

• Neurological impairments
• Food allergies
• Scoliosis
• Cyclic vomiting
• Cystic fibrosis
• Problems in the lungs, ear, nose, or throat
• Any medical condition affecting the digestive tract

Symptoms in Children. Typical symptoms in infants include frequent regurgitation, irritability, arching the back, choking or gagging, and resisting feedings.

A physician should examine any child who has symptoms of severe GERD as soon as possible, because these symptoms may indicate complications such as anemia, failure to gain weight, or respiratory problems. Symptoms of severe GERD in infants and small children may include:

• Failure to thrive
• Chronic coughing
• Frequent infections
• Wheezing
• Gasping or frequently stopping breathing while asleep (a condition called sleep apnea)
• Severe vomiting -- particularly if it is green colored (bilious) -- always requires a doctor's visit, because it could be a symptom of a severe obstruction.

Babies and children may experience these symptoms without having GERD. Many infants with normal irritability are being inappropriately treated for reflux disorders.

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Review Date: 07/11/2010
Reviewed By: Reviewed by: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)