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Guideline

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in children and young people: diagnosis and management

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Last updated:8th Oct 2019
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in children and young people: diagnosis and management - National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)


This guideline covers diagnosing and managing gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in children and young people (under 18s). It aims to raise awareness of symptoms that need investigating and treating, and to reassure parents and carers that regurgitation is common in infants under 1 year.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) is a normal physiological process that usually happens after eating in healthy infants, children, young people and adults. In contrast, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) occurs when the effect of GOR leads to symptoms severe enough to merit medical treatment. GOR is more common in infants than in older children and young people, and it is noticeable by the effortless regurgitation of feeds in young babies.

In October 2019, we added footnotes on PPI and H2RA licensing for use in children, and amended advice to clarify when metoclopramide, domperidone or erythromycin can be offered.


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