Gastroesophageal reflux disease in Child
Alerts and Notices
Synopsis
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition that develops when stomach contents (ie, food and acid) flow back into the esophagus or mouth. It may be symptomatic or asymptomatic (silent reflux). Symptoms most commonly include heartburn, regurgitation, chronic cough, and sore throat. Development of GERD is associated with obesity. Other risk factors include cigarette smoking, NSAID use, female sex, and low socioeconomic status.
For patients presenting with typical symptoms of regurgitation or heartburn, a diagnosis of GERD can be made presumptively and treated empirically. If dysphagia, atypical chest pain, chronic cough, odynophagia, or emesis is reported, further investigation is required before empiric treatment is recommended, as an underlying motility disorder, structural abnormality, or malignancy may be present.
For patients presenting with typical symptoms of regurgitation or heartburn, a diagnosis of GERD can be made presumptively and treated empirically. If dysphagia, atypical chest pain, chronic cough, odynophagia, or emesis is reported, further investigation is required before empiric treatment is recommended, as an underlying motility disorder, structural abnormality, or malignancy may be present.
Codes
ICD10CM:
K21.00 – Gastro-esophageal reflux disease with esophagitis, without bleeding
K21.9 – Gastro-esophageal reflux disease without esophagitis
SNOMEDCT:
235595009 – Gastroesophageal reflux disease
K21.00 – Gastro-esophageal reflux disease with esophagitis, without bleeding
K21.9 – Gastro-esophageal reflux disease without esophagitis
SNOMEDCT:
235595009 – Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Look For
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Peptic ulcer disease
- Gastritis
- Gastroenteritis
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Crohn disease
- Infectious esophagitis
- Eosinophilic esophagitis
- Eosinophilic gastroenteritis
- Celiac disease
- Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
- Drug side effect (see drug-induced esophagitis)
- Gastroparesis
- Achalasia (see esophageal motility disorder)
- Esophageal web / esophageal ring
- Esophageal spasm (see esophageal motility disorder)
- Angina / atypical chest pain (see coronary artery disease)
Best Tests
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Management Pearls
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Therapy
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Drug Reaction Data
Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.
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References
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Last Reviewed:10/01/2018
Last Updated:10/10/2022
Last Updated:10/10/2022

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