When does infant regurgitation resolve and why?

When does infant regurgitation resolve and why?

• A. It resolves only with surgical repair
• B. It never resolves
• C. Regurgitation usually resolves around 7-12 months due to maturation of the lower esophageal sphincter
• D. It resolves with introduction of solids

Answer: (C)

Infant regurgitation that’s common and benign tends to improve as the lower esophageal sphincter matures. The lower esophageal sphincter develops better tone and coordination during the first year, so retrograde flow of milk decreases and regurgitation typically resolves by about 7–12 months. This maturation explain why most healthy babies “outgrow” the issue without intervention. It differs from true vomiting or reflux disease, which would show signs like poor weight gain, dehydration, or feeding difficulties. Surgical repair is not the usual path to resolution, and solids aren’t the primary driver of happening—they may help later, but the main factor is maturation of the esophageal barrier.

Infant regurgitation that’s common and benign tends to improve as the lower esophageal sphincter matures. The lower esophageal sphincter develops better tone and coordination during the first year, so retrograde flow of milk decreases and regurgitation typically resolves by about 7–12 months. This maturation explain why most healthy babies “outgrow” the issue without intervention. It differs from true vomiting or reflux disease, which would show signs like poor weight gain, dehydration, or feeding difficulties. Surgical repair is not the usual path to resolution, and solids aren’t the primary driver of happening—they may help later, but the main factor is maturation of the esophageal barrier.