Pediatric Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

If your child has symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), our team is ready to provide the answers you need. We take the time to complete a thorough evaluation, and develop a treatment plan tailored to your child's specific needs.

We're committed to providing the best care possible for your child for their continued growth and development. You can count on the full support of our team of specialists throughout your child's treatment.

Choosing our center for pediatric GERD

At Cook Children's, we offer:

Expertise: We're one of a limited number of pediatric medical centers offering specialized GERD care. Our pediatric gastroenterologists have specialized training in caring for children of all ages. They partner with other pediatric specialties to provide comprehensive care for your child.
Innovative diagnostic testing: We can examine even the smallest infants using technologies that help us see how your child's digestive system is functioning and make an accurate diagnosis.
Treatments for common and complex causes: We offer the broadest range of GERD treatments available, including lifestyle recommendations, medications and (if needed) surgery. For children with more severe symptoms, we offer access to innovative therapies through our clinical trials program.
Convenient and timely care: While all diagnostic testing is performed at our main medical center in Fort Worth, you can access follow-up care at locations throughout the Metroplex. We're committed to getting your child the care they need, with timely appointments. And you can contact your care team any time by phone or through our MyCookChildren's patient portal with questions or concerns.

Supporting your child with GERD

In addition to our doctors and nurses, our team includes dedicated experts who support your child throughout treatment. These specialists include:

Child Life specialists: Each time you come to our clinic, our Child Life specialists help your child understand what to expect for tests and treatments. They use models and activities to explain care in terms your child can understand.
Clinical therapists: Our clinical therapists help you and your child cope with the challenges of managing GERD. They help you find ways to reduce stress and anxiety, such as relaxation techniques and biofeedback therapy. And don't be surprised if your child gets a visit from a furry friend. Our therapy dog frequently drops in for a visit.
Dietitians: Throughout treatment, we want to ensure that your child gets the nutrition needed to grow and develop. Our dietitians can provide nutritional supplements or create a diet that avoids symptom-triggering foods. They can also set up feeding schedules for infants and mealtimes for older children.
Social workers: Our social workers ensure you have the resources you need while your child receives care at Cook Children's. They can help connect you with community resources and support groups, for example.

Diagnosing pediatric GERD

We use the latest technology available to accurately diagnose children of all ages. We start, though, with the basics. We review medical records once you or your doctor contact us. At the first appointment, we do a physical exam and ask about symptoms.

We then discuss our advanced testing options with you. These tests may include:

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD): We use a thin tube with a small camera attached to examine the esophagus, stomach and small intestine. Read more about EGD [PDF].
Esophageal pH probe study: This test measures the pH level of your child's stomach acid. It can also examine how often stomach acid moves into the esophagus and how long it stays there.
Bravo esophageal pH test: This innovative test allows us to combine two evaluations into one procedure. Patients first swallow a capsule that measures the pH level of stomach acid. We can then see the results when we perform an EGD exam.
Esophageal manometry: Our team uses this technology to measure the strength and function of the muscles in the esophagus. It helps us see how well food moves from the esophagus to the digestive tract. Learn more about esophageal manometry [PDF].
Gastric emptying study: This study helps us see if the contents of your child's stomach move properly through the rest of the digestive system.
Endoscopy: We use a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope to look inside the digestive tract. The tube has a camera or ultrasound probe attached at the end. We carefully thread the tube into the throat, nostrils or other natural openings to see real-time pictures of tissue and organs throughout the digestive system.
Imaging: We use imaging to examine how stomach acid has moved throughout the digestive system.

Making individualized care plans for children

We use test results to develop an individualized treatment plan for your child. We sometimes discover that symptoms are actually caused by other conditions, such as acid reflux.

GERD versus acid reflux

Although symptoms may be similar to those of GERD, acid reflux is a milder condition. It occurs when stomach acid moves into the esophagus. This backward flow may cause a burning feeling in the chest, called heartburn. Your child may only have this discomfort after eating a heavy meal.

With GERD, acid reflux occurs more often and can lead to other symptoms. For example, children affected by GERD may cough or have difficulty swallowing.

GERD treatment options

We offer care for the full range of symptoms associated with GERD – from the mild to the severe. Treatment options may include:

Lifestyle changes: For children with mild or moderate symptoms, our team may recommend changes to feeding and meal routines. Our dietitians can help you develop a healthy diet plan to manage your child's weight. And you can avoid giving your child foods that trigger symptoms. These foods include carbonated beverages, chocolate, fatty foods and citrus fruit. It also helps to have your child sit up for a while after eating.
Medications: If your child has moderate symptoms (or worse), we may recommend:
- Antacids to reduce acid within the stomach
- H-2 blockers to limit the amount of acid the stomach makes
- Proton pump inhibitors to stop the stomach from making acid
Feeding tubes: Some infants who were born prematurely or have other conditions may have trouble swallowing. They may also have frequent acid reflux. We want to make sure they have the nutrition they need to grow and develop. We may place a small feeding tube, called a nasogastric tube, through the nose and into the esophagus. We can remove the tube once these infants are able to swallow and digest on their own.
Surgery: For children with more severe symptoms, we offer minimally invasive procedures to prevent stomach acid from moving back into the esophagus. To do so, our pediatric surgeons make a small incision. They then tighten the ring of muscle (sphincter) at the base of the esophagus, narrowing the pathway and stopping acid reflux.

Need to make an appointment or refer a patient?

We're ready to help. If you'd like to schedule an appointment, refer a patient or speak to our team, call our offices at 682-885-1990.

Make an appointment MyCookChildren's portal

Learn more about appointments, insurance coverage and patient referrals.

Coming from outside of Texas?

Our team in Global Health Services supports families who travel to Cook Children's for medical care from across the country and around the world.

Our concierge service is here to help with every detail. We'll work with your family to:

Schedule appointments
Plan travel
Find accommodations
Offer financial counseling and insurance approvals
Arrange translation services

Please contact our Global Health Services care coordinator to arrange your visit to Cook Children's:

682-885-4685 phone
682-885-2557 fax
globalhealthservices@cookchildrens.org

We're here to help.

If your child has been diagnosed, you probably have lots of questions. We can help. If you would like to schedule an appointment, refer a patient or speak to our staff, please call our offices at 682-885-1990