GER and GERD in Infants: What Are Your Treatment Strategies?

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This education is about:

  • Differentiating GER from GERD in infants
  • The challenges of obtaining a definitive diagnosis of GERD 
  • Nonpharmacologic and nutritional management of GERD
  • Practice pearls for thickened feeds
  • Risks of acid-suppressive medications in infants
  • GER and GERD case studies

Why it matters: 
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is an extremely common occurrence in infants and resolves without intervention in most infants by 1 year of age. Nonetheless, GER is a common cause of caregiver concern and anxiety, which may lead to the overuse of acid suppressants in the infant population. Given the risks associated with these drugs in infants, it is important to understand the differences between GER and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and the recommended treatment strategies for these conditions.

Target Audience:

Developed to support pediatricians, pediatric nurses, pediatric dietitians, and other healthcare providers who treat infants and children.

Course Credit:

1 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM
1 ANCC Contact hour(s)
1 CA-BRN Contact hour(s)
1 CDR Contact hour(s)

Dates:

Opens: 2024-11-06
Closes: 2026-11-06

This activity is supported by an educational grant from Mead Johnson Nutrition.
  • Julie Khlevner, MD

    Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Columbia University Medical Center
    Pediatric Gastroenterology
    Director, Neurogastroenterology and Motility Center
    New York, New York

  • Rachel Lee Rosen, MD, MPH

    Professor of Pediatrics
    Director, Aerodigestive Center
    Harvard Medical School
    Boston Children's Hospital
    Boston, Massachusetts

Learning Objectives

  • Differentiate the clinical criteria and management strategies for Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) vs Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
  • Summarize the guidelines for the clinical management of GERD
  • Explain how Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) and H2 Receptor Antagonists (H2RAs) work in an infant’s body and their potential short- and long-term risks
  • Devise a clinical management plan for an infant diagnosed with GERD