How Do Doctors Diagnose Reflux and Gerd in Children?

If the little one gets tummy troubles, figure out what’s going on. The doctor might want to take a closer look. Here are some ways they can do that:

  • Upper GI Series (X-ray with a special drink): Your kiddo will drink a special white liquid that shows up on X-rays. This helps the doctor see how food moves through their tummy.
  • Esophageal pH and Impedence Monitoring (Tube in the nose): A tiny tube goes through your child’s nose and into their tummy. It checks if tummy acid is going up where it shouldn’t. This test takes a whole day.
  • Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Biopsy (Camera in the tummy): A long, thin tube with a camera goes down your child’s throat to look inside their tummy. Sometimes, the doctor might take a tiny piece of tissue for testing.

These tests can help figure out if your child has reflux or something else. Don’t worry, the doctors will explain everything to you!