Gastroesophageal Reflux in Infants and Children Who Have Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
Kenneth B. Roberts MD
Infants and children who have neurodevelopmental disabilities are at risk of additional compromise due to malnutrition. Poor nutrition may result from motor difficulties, which makes those affected difficult to feed. Oropharyngeal abnormalities may predispose to recurrent aspiration pneumonia. Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is present in the majority of those who are affected severely and adds to malnutrition by limiting intake and, if chronic esophagitis develops, by expending energy in painful movements and by creating a catabolic state.
Although most of the attention to GER has centered on the control of vomiting and esophagitis, nutrition also must be a major consideration. Indeed, recent evidence suggests that GER may resolve if normal nutrition is attained.
