Reflux still at 9 months with cough

Question

My son started coughing and vomiting up each feed at 8 weeks old. After numerous visits to the doctor he was referred to the hospital, and they have diagnosed him with reflux and given him Ranitidine and Gaviscon.

My concern is he still has a cough, his chest is clear and he is not being sick anymore. Can anyone advise if the two medicines he is on will help the cough, if this would clear he would be fine.

Please Help!!

Answer 1

My son is going through the same thing. We see a pediatric pulmonologist every 3 months, who diagnosed him with premature asthma. He has an inhaler he takes 2 times a day, and a nebulizer in case he wheezes. His chest is also clear, but he has had a croupy like cough since he was 3 months old. We keep a humidifier going at all times. Doctors do not prescribe cough meds to children under 2 now, so both of your meds are for the reflux. Keep giving that to him. We also went to an ENT doctor, who did a scope test and found my son's got a flappier than normal piece of skin over the voice box that makes him cough and gag sometimes. It's something he will grow out of though. If you still have concerns with your son's health, have his ped give a referral to an ENT and pulmonologist to ease your mind. If he has any mucous in the nasal passages, try to suction it out with a bulb syringe or loosen with saline drops. If it's more of a dry cough, keep the air in your home moist with a cool mist humidifier. Hope he gets better soon, I know people like to look at you funny when your baby's coughing and carrying on, but as long as you know he's okay, then what they day doesn't matter. Good luck and hope he feels better!

Answer 2

Neither one of the medications are for cough. He may have some esophogeal (throat) irritation from the acid reflux that is making him cough. If that's the case, it will have to heal on it's own. My suggestion is to keep giving him the medication and bring it up to your doctor at his next appointment. If he starts developing other symptoms, call your doctor or take him in for a visit.