TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Chapter 394. Gastroesophageal Reflux and Other Causes of Esophageal Inflammation A1 - Rudolph, Colin D. A2 - Rudolph, Colin D. A2 - Rudolph, Abraham M. A2 - Lister, George E. A2 - First, Lewis R. A2 - Gershon, Anne A. Y1 - 2011 N1 - T2 - Rudolph's Pediatrics, 22e AB - Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is the spontaneous passage of gastric contents into the esophagus. It is a normal physiologic process that occurs throughout the day in healthy infants, children, and adults. In infants, refluxed material often is expelled from the mouth, a benign process known as “spitting-up,” “spilling,” or “posseting.” Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) results from failure of the normal protective mechanisms that prevent damage to the aerodigestive tract following GER and is purported to manifest with a variety of symptoms and signs, shown in Figure 394-1. For almost all of these symptoms and signs, alternative etiologies must be considered prior to concluding that GERD is causative. This is particularly true in the infant and younger child because it is difficult to differentiate in young patients between GER and vomiting, and their symptoms are nonspecific. SN - PB - The McGraw-Hill Companies CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/04/19 UR - accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=7036204 ER -