Does my 1 year old possibly have GERD?

My 13 month old has been having some of the same similar symptoms for a few months now. In November, I noticed that he was starting to vomit a little bit a few times throughout the day. Nothing big, just a little on his shirt. He does not sleep through the night. He tosses and turns and cries out all night long. He never wakes up in a good mood, whether it be a nap or from the night. He is always crying when he wakes up. Throughout the day when he is playing and awake, he is fussy and I notice he does a gurgly burp a lot and eventually vomits a little on his shirt. It is hard to take him a lot of places because how fussy he is, and he constantly smells like puke whether it is his shirt or breath. I need some help with this one. Thank you for your time!

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
What you have mentioned are all symptoms of regurgitation. These could represent acid reflux disease. Reflux however can occur as a normal phenomenon in babies even upto 10-18 months of age.
If he coughs, if he becomes breathless or if he develops recurrent respiratory infection, or if he does not put on weight he needs treatment.
Consult a Pediatric gastroenetrologist for evaluation.
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The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.

- Ratnakar Kini M.D