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Reflux
 
Gastro-oesophageal reflux is the spontaneous passage of acidic gastric contents from the stomach into the oesophagus. The exact mechanism whereby babies are able to keep their feeds down is not completely understood. It is generally accepted that the main cause of reflux is a weakness in the lower section of the foodpipe (sphincter). This sphincter is lax in all newborns, but in most cases tones up naturally over the first few weeks. This closes after food has passed into the stomach, thus preventing food returning up the oesophagus. Those in whom the sphincter remains lax are termed 'reflux babies'.
 
There are many symptoms of reflux, some of which are not always easily recognised. Not all symptoms and observed characteristics are necessarily seen in any individual baby or child, but here is a list of some you may observe.

- vomiting  

- possetting

- regurgitation 

- repeated hiccoughs

- sleep disturbances

- irritability and excessive crying

- failure to thrive

- blood in vomit or stool

- feeding interruptions

 - screams during or after feeds

- feeding problems 

- dark (coffee ground) vomit

- appears to be in pain

- repeated coughing

- recurrent chest infections

- apnoea
- either comfort feeding or food
   refusal

 Two support organisations for gastric reflux are the Gastric Reflux Support Network New Zealand (GRSNNZ) and Gastric Reflux Support for Infants and Children (GRSIC )

 

 Gastric Reflux Support Network NZ was established in 2001 as a registered Not for profit organisation. GRSNNZ is the only organisation Funded to provide Reflux  Support to all NZ families. 

              

The goal of the Gastric Reflux Support Network (NZ) is to provide support and information to parents or guardians of children with reflux throughout NZ.

Gastric Reflux Support for Infrants and Children (GRSIC) sees itself as the non-medical half of a very important team, advising parents to seek a medical opinion and then helping the family to cope with the day-to-day pressures of living with a persistent refluxer.
 
The Association offers a wide variety of support systems from telephone contacts- being able to speak to a parent of a child who has suffered from reflux, letter contacts, email contacts and also the publication of pamphlets. A bi-monthly newsletter is distributed to members, as well as coffee mornings being held to allow parents to gain support from one another, and as an introduction to the Association and its facilities.

web site:   http://groups.msn.com/GastricRefluxSupportforInfantsandChildren

http://groups.msn.com/InfantGastricRefluxStoriesNZ
 
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