Investigation of regurgitation and other symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux in Indonesian infants.

AIM: To evaluate the incidence of regurgitation and other symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux in Indonesian infants.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study at the University Outpatient Clinic for vaccination in Jakarta, 138 mothers of healthy infants less than 12-mo old were prospectively asked to report the frequency of regurgitation.

RESULTS

Whatever the age was, some infants did not regurgitate (from 10% during the first month of life to 67% in 1-year-old infants). Regurgitation of at least once a day was reported in 77% of infants younger than 3 mo. Daily regurgitation decreased to 12% in the 9-12 mo old group. Reported peak prevalence was 81%(26/32) during the first month of life. Regurgitation decreased sharply between the 4-6 and 7-9 mo old groups (from 44% to 9%). The longer the regurgitation persisted, the more frequently the mother perceived regurgitation as a problem. Volume and frequency of regurgitation, back arching, irritability, crying and refusal of feeding were the symptoms causing maternal anxiety. The longer the regurgitation persisted, the more frequently the mothers viewed it as a health problem.

CONCLUSION

Regurgitation occurs frequently in Indonesian infants, and is a frequent cause of concern to mothers.