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Infant Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux is becoming more and more widely known. We know many children have GERD, but it is now believed that many children with GERD are actually suffering from LPR (Laryngopharyngeal Reflux). LPR happens when reflux material comes all the way up the esophagus, past the upper esophageal sphincter, and into the throat. Reflux material is able to come into contact with the sensitive tissue at the back of the throat and sometimes even the back of the nasal airway. This can cause many problems for the child.
Symptoms of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
-
Sore throat
- Hoarse voice
- Chronic cough, clearing throat, mucousy
- Chronic nasal congestion
- Stridor
- Wheezing
- Reoccurring Croup, Chronic Bronchitis
- Aspiration Pneumonias
- Asthma
- Sleep disordered breathing
- Sensation of a lump in the throat
- Vomiting or Spit up
- Swallowing difficulties
- Gagging
- Feeding difficulties
- Turning blue
- Apnea
- Sleep disordered breathing
- Apparent life threatening event (ALTE)
- Failure to thrive
A complication from LPR is exposure to the laryngeal structures by
acidic reflux material. This may cause long-term airway problems.
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux can also cause recurrent ear infections, sinus
problems, recurring middle ear fluid build up, and sore throats.
Testing for LPR can be done in several ways. What they are looking for
is acid reflux material in the back of the throat. Testing can be done
by pH Probe (probably your best choice), barium studies, and
endoscopies. Also, a biopsy can be taken to check for changes in the
lining of the throat due to damage from the acid reflux. Keep in mind
that some children have non-acidic reflux, so testing acidic levels in
these children will be inconclusive.
Successfully treating the GER (gastro-esophageal reflux) in turn helps
diminish symptoms and damage from Laryngopharyngeal Reflux. Keeping
your baby/child upright for 30 minutes after feeds may help. H2
blockers or proton pump inhibitors (PPI's) can be prescribed to manage
the damaging acid. These drugs stop acid production, and should prevent
acid from damaging the throat and other areas affected by the
reflux. After several months on these prescriptions, many patients'
symptoms improve. Some feel relief in weeks. In very serious cases,
surgical intervention such as a fundoplication may be recommended.
Please visit our forums if you have questions about LPR.
Written by: Erin, ElisMom
Read more about Reflux Information:
Causes of Acid Reflux,
What is Silent Reflux?,
Symptoms of Infant Reflux,
Diagnosing and Testing Infant Reflux,
Medications Commonly Used For Infant Reflux and Pediatric GERD,
Reflux F.A.Q's,
Sandifer's Syndrome,
Does My Baby / Child have Infant Reflux? Pediatric Reflux? GERD?,
Treatments--Infant Reflux and Pediatric GERD
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