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The human body is complex and prone to internal and external medical issues, including injuries and conditions requiring immediate attention. The identification of medical issues is especially challenging in the case of children who are not capable of sensing the signals their body sends.

Most medical issues during childhood are treated through medications. However, there are some that require surgery or constant medical attention. Here’s a look into two common conditions that might require your child to undergo surgery at the best child care hospital in Ahmedabad – Motherhood Hospital. So, continue reading!

Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER)

GER, or gastroesophageal reflux, commonly affects hundreds of infants. In this condition, the stomach’s contents go up to the esophagus, also known as the swallowing pipe. It is common for children up to 2 years of age to develop GER, and most patients will not have to undergo invasive examinations or surgeries.

If GER lasts long or grows severe, it can be termed GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), and if it remains untreated, it can lead to serious complications.

Symptoms of GER

The symptoms may vary with your child’s age and condition’s severity. However, some of the common ones are:

• Poor weight gain
• Difficulty swallowing or eating
• Chronic cough
• Heartburn
• Abdominal pain
• Sour taste in the mouth
• Have yellow or green fluid or blood in their vomit
• Wheezing or trouble breathing

Cause of GER

The food travels to the stomach through the esophagus. The valve (ring-shaped muscle) at the esophagus’s bottom, also known as LES (Lower Esophageal Sphincter), opens and closes for the food traveling to the stomach. Mechanisms controlling LES functioning are immature in children, resulting in stomach juices (acid), feeds, and gasses returning to the esophagus. In most cases, children grow out of the GER when their anti-reflux mechanisms develop.

Treatment of GER

Our professional will suggest lifestyle changes to help your children overcome their symptoms. Some changes are:

• Diet changes
• Getting them to burp often
• Stop smoking around them
• Hold them up for around 20-30 minutes after they eat
• Make sure your baby sleeps on their back

If the lifestyle changes fail to help, doctors will suggest medications that decrease and block the acids in the stomach. Surgery for GERD is rare, but, if necessary, our experts will discuss the possible options for the best outcomes.

Pyloric Stenosis

HPS or hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is a condition wherein the muscular opening between the small intestine and stomach thickens and narrows. It usually develops in newborns of 2-8 weeks. The condition does not allow the liquid or food to empty from the stomach, which ultimately leads to forceful vomiting.

Symptoms of HPS

Infants with HPS might eat well but can have the symptoms mentioned below:

• Projectile vomiting (forceful vomiting)
• Dehydration
• belly/abdominal pain
• Irritability
• Small stools
• Hunger, even after feedings
• Weight loss
• Wavelike motion in the stomach immediately after eating and just before the child vomits

Parents often fail to notice something isn’t right until the baby is malnourished or dehydrated. There is a possibility of children developing jaundice.

Causes of HPS

The exact reason for HPS is still unknown. However, it is believed that environmental factors and genetics might play a role.

Treatment of HPS

The treatment for pyloric stenosis is divided into two stages.

• HPS can result in forceful vomiting that can disturb the child’s salt and fluid balances, which is why babies are given fluids from the drip to restore their body content or treat dehydration.
• Once the IV fluids are given, our best pediatric surgeon in Ahmedabad will perform surgery to release the thickened muscles’ ring, which allows the food to reach the intestine.

A Note from Motherhood Hospital!

Motherhood Hospital has all the facilities, technologies, and expert staff to care for your little one. To know more about the common pediatric conditions, we treat or to receive treatment, visit us!