What is a main feature of Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) in pediatrics?

Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) is a common condition in pediatric patients, particularly in infants. One of the main features of GORD is its significant prevalence in children under one year of age. During this developmental stage, the gastrointestinal tract is still maturing, and frequent episodes of reflux are common due to factors such as an immature lower esophageal sphincter. However, in cases where GORD is present, it may lead to distressing symptoms such as irritability and feeding difficulties.

While younger children are more likely to present with reflux symptoms, older children can also still experience GORD, but they may present with different or less typical symptoms. In contrast, the other options do not accurately represent the key characteristics of GORD. For instance, the presence of irritability is common in children with GORD, especially when there are complications like esophagitis. Severe abdominal pain is not a distinguishing feature of GORD; instead, it more commonly correlates with other gastrointestinal conditions. Frequent normal bowel movements are not specifically indicative of GORD, as the condition primarily relates to the reflux of gastric contents rather than bowel function. Thus, the association of GORD with infants, particularly those under one year of age, emphasizes