New insight into risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux in infants

Abstract

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux is a common problem in infancy. This study aimed to discover new risk factors that may contribute to gastroesophageal reflux in infants. Method and Materials: The current study adopted a case-control design to accomplish the objectives of the study for the period from 29th of December 2021 to 30th of June 2022. A probability sample was selected according to a systematic method for choosing the primary health care centers. A non-probability sample was purposively selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria of infants diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux including a total of 140 infants aged from one month to twelve months, 70 infants with gastroesophageal reflux were in the study group and 70 infants in the healthy control group. Questionnaire form was applied to all participants at six enrolled primary health care centers in Mosul city. Results: The following studied hypothesized risk factors significantly differed between infants with gastroesophageal reflux and the healthy control group: twin infants (p=0.004), use of a pacifier (p=0.00), use of wrapping (p=0.00), exposure to smoking (p=0.00), family history of asthma (p=0.00), and starting position for infants (p=0.00).