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The bigger picture

Reflux is common in infants because of several factors:

  • A shorter, more narrow oesophagus than in older children and adults
  • A lower oesophageal sphincter that is slightly above, rather than just below, the diaphragm
  • Delayed gastric emptying
  • The high calorie, liquid diet that babies need putting the stomach under strain
  • The fact that babies are often lying down, which means gravity can’t exert its usual effect.

Certain factors increase the risk of a baby developing reflux, including premature birth, parental history of heartburn or similar, obesity, anatomical abnormalities of the GI tract or surrounding muscles, and neurodisability disorders such as cerebral palsy.

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