Raza D, Mohiuddin F, Khan MH, Fawad M, Raza SM. Childhood gastroesophageal reflux disease: A comprehensive review of disease, diagnosis, and therapeutic management. World J Clin Pediatr 2025; 14(2): 101175 [DOI: 10.5409/wjcp.v14.i2.101175]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Daniyal Raza, MD, Doctor, Department of Internal Medicine, LSU Health Shreveport, 1501 Kings Hwy, Shreveport, LA 71103, United States. daniyal.raza@lsuhs.edu
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Article-Type of This Article
Minireviews
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Clin Pediatr. Jun 9, 2025; 14(2): 101175 Published online Jun 9, 2025. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v14.i2.101175
Childhood gastroesophageal reflux disease: A comprehensive review of disease, diagnosis, and therapeutic management
Daniyal Raza, Farhan Mohiuddin, Muhammad Haris Khan, Maheen Fawad, Syed Musa Raza
Daniyal Raza, Muhammad Haris Khan, Department of Internal Medicine, LSU Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, United States
Farhan Mohiuddin, Department of Internal Medicine, LSU New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
Maheen Fawad, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, LSU Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, United States
Syed Musa Raza, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Deaconess Clinic, Henderson, KY 42420, United States
Author contributions: Raza D conceptualized and designed the study, contributed to data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation, drafted and revised the manuscript for important intellectual content, provided critical revisions to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the work; Mohiuddin F contributed significantly to data collection and analysis, participated in drafting the results and methods sections, provided input on the study design and critical revisions to the manuscript; Khan MH assisted with data acquisition and literature review, contributed to the preparation of the discussion section, reviewed and provided feedback on the manuscript; Fawad M conducted a comprehensive literature review to support the study background and introduction, provided editorial assistance and feedback on manuscript clarity and language; Raza SM provided supervision and guidance throughout the study process, reviewed and critically revised the manuscript, ensured adherence to reporting guidelines and ethical considerations; all of the authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript to be published.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest relevant to this manuscript.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Daniyal Raza, MD, Doctor, Department of Internal Medicine, LSU Health Shreveport, 1501 Kings Hwy, Shreveport, LA 71103, United States. daniyal.raza@lsuhs.edu
Received: September 6, 2024 Revised: January 22, 2025 Accepted: February 8, 2025 Published online: June 9, 2025 Processing time: 193 Days and 4.3 Hours
Abstract
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects both adults and children, although the symptoms differ significantly between these groups. While adults typically experience heartburn and regurgitation, children may present with more subtle signs, such as failure to thrive, chronic cough, wheezing, and Sandifer syndrome. Diagnosing GERD in children necessitates a multifaceted approach due to the diverse symptomatology and challenges in communication. Clinical assessment serves as the cornerstone of diagnosis, supported by tools like pH monitoring, esophageal impedance testing, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Imaging studies, such as barium swallow, can also provide valuable insights into anatomical abnormalities and the extent of reflux. Treatment strategies for pediatric GERD include lifestyle adjustments, pharmacotherapy, and, in severe cases, surgical interventions. Lifestyle adjustments may involve changes in feeding patterns, positional therapy, and weight management. Pharmacological options range from acid suppression with proton pump inhibitors or histamine-2 receptor antagonists to surgical procedures like fundoplication for refractory cases. Personalized management is essential, considering the child’s age, symptom severity, and the presence of complications. This article aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of pediatric GERD by utilizing current research to enhance clinical approaches and improve patient outcomes.
Core Tip: This comprehensive review explores the unique presentation, diagnosis, and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in children, emphasizing the differences from adult GERD. It highlights diagnostic challenges, including the use of pH monitoring, impedance testing, and endoscopy, and offers a detailed analysis of treatment strategies. From lifestyle modifications and acid suppression therapy to surgical interventions, the review underscores the importance of individualized management approaches tailored to age, symptom severity, and complications. This article serves as a valuable resource for improving the clinical approach to pediatric GERD and enhancing patient outcomes.
