Gastroesophageal reflux and severe mental retardation.

Recurrent vomiting is common in children with severe mental retardation and leads to significant morbidity with malnutrition, anemia, and aspiration pneumonitis. Spasms of the abdominal muscles and diaphragm, uncoordinated peristalsis, and central nervous system disorders are causes of dysphagia and continuous gastroesophageal reflux. It is desirable that mentally retarded children with vomiting have a barium swallow and esophagoscopy as early as possible. Fundoplication should be performed before complications develop. Spasms with aspiration followed by apnea, in particular, are life-threatening situations. After surgery there is a definite improvement in mental and physical development.