Infant Reflux Glossary

See pH probe.

apnea

Brief pauses in breathing.

A device that monitors an infant's breathing.  The monitor sounds an alarm when there are breathing or heart rate problems.

aspirate/aspiration

To breath reflux fluids (from the stomach) into the lungs.kdh

A chronic lung condition characterized by difficulty breathing.

Serious episodes of prolonged apnea that do not result in death.

Test used for diagnosis of reflux.  The infant drinks a liquid containing barium.  The barium coats the esophagus and stomach, allowing them to viewed on the x-ray.

A condition that occurs when cells normally found in the stomach/intestine grow in the esophagus.

When an infant stops breathing and turns blue.

When the heart beats at an unusually slow rate (fewer than 50 to 60 beats per minute).kdh

A genetic intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats.

A separation of the two sides of the lip.

An opening in the roof of the mouth where the two sides of the palate did not join together during development.

Colic is extended periods of uncontrollable, unexplainable crying in a healthy baby.

A bluish-gray discoloration of the skin caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood.

The first part of the small intestine.

A swallowing disorder marked by difficulty swallowing and/or pain while swallowing.

Test used to diagnose reflux.  A tube with a camera on the end is inserted in the esophagus and into the stomach.  Used to assess the degree of reflux and identify any problems in the stomach and duodenum.  A biopsy may also be taken for evaluation.

See MSPI.

See barium swallow x-ray.

When a infant's weight or rate of weight gain is significantly below other infants of similar age and sex.

A tube used to feed infants which is inserted directly into the stomach.  Typically used for long-term delivery of nutrition.

Test used to diagnose reflux.  The infant drinks a liquid with a small level of radioactivity.  A camera then measures the movement of the radioactivity as the infant lays still on a table.  Used to determine the rate at which contents are leaving the stomach.

The rate at which food moves through the gastric tract during digestion.

See endoscopy.

Chronic symptoms caused when the contents of the stomach travel back up into the esophagus.

Medicines used to treat reflux that reduce the amount of acid the stomach produces by blocking histamines from attaching to H2 receptor sites.

A disorder of the upper GI tract caused by reflux which is associated with neurological side affects such as twisting of the neck (torticollis), nodding of the head, torso spasms, gurgling sounds (ruminate) and writhing movements of the limbs.

See Barrett's Esophagus.

A tube used to feed infants which is inserted directly into the upper section of the small intestine. Used to bypass the stomach and feed directly into the intestinal tract.

The backflow of the contents of the stomach into the esophagus and the upper airway.kdh

The inability to breath due to a closure of the laryngeal cords, which blocks airflow to the lungs.

Sleeping position where baby is placed on its side.

The muscle connecting the esophagus with the stomach.

Milk Soy Protein Intolerance.

A tube used to feed infants which is placed through the nose, down the esophagus and into the stomach.  Used for infants who are unable to ingest nutrients by mouth.

A procedure used to correct reflux in which part of the stomach is wrapped around the lower esophagus.  This prevents the flow of fluids from the stomach to the esophagus and strengthens the muscle between the stomach and the esophagus.

Test used to diagnose reflux.  A fine wire is threaded through the nose into the stomach and usually left for a 24-hour period.  The ph (acidity) in the esophagus is recorded.  Used to determine presence and extent of acid reflux.

Medicines used to treat reflux that reduce the amount of acid the stomach produces by inhibiting proton pumps which produce the acid.

Medicines used to treat reflux which keep the contents of the stomach from reaching the esophagus by tightening the value between the stomach and the esophagus.  Also increase gastric motility.

Sleeping position where baby is placed on its stomach.

See MSPI.

Pyloric stenosis is a narrowing of the opening (pylorus) from the stomach to the intestine.kdh

The opening between the stomach and the duodenum.

When acid and food from the stomach back up into the esophagus.

Refluxed stomach contents.

A progressive neurological disorder in which individuals exhibit reduced muscle tone, occurs primarily in girls.

Chew excessively.

See hiatus hernia.kdh

Silent reflux is reflux with the absence of visible symptoms such as spitting up, vomiting, poor weight gain, etc.

Sleep disorder characterized by episodes where an infant does not breath for periods of 10 seconds or more.

The three sleeping positions are supine, prone and lateral.

Sleeping position where baby is placed on its back.

A twist in the neck.

An abnormal weakness and collapse of the tracheal walls.

See barium swallow x-ray.