Question
A 2-month-old baby has been experiencing worsening vomiting since full term, with a long interval between bowel movements up to 7 days, and eczema. After undergoing blood tests, urine tests, stool tests, and an ultrasound examination at the hospital, no abnormalities were found, only a slightly low urine specific gravity. What is this condition?
Answer
The baby’s current symptoms may be due to physiological regurgitation, as the function of the gastroesophageal sphincter has not fully developed yet. It is easy for the baby to vomit after feeding due to vigorous activity or coughing. It is recommended to ensure that the baby fully latches onto the nipple during feeding, avoid overfeeding, and after feeding, let the baby lie on the adult’s shoulder and gently pat the back to expel excess air. The movements after feeding should be gentle and minimize movement to reduce vomiting. At the same time, the baby should sleep in a side-lying position, and in case of vomiting, quickly help them tilt their head to the side to prevent aspiration into the respiratory tract or developing aspiration pneumonia. Usually, this condition will improve spontaneously after 4-6 months.