Pregnancy Increases Reflux Risk

Researchers in Madrid Spain searched for a link between pregnancy and the risk of acquiring gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (GERS.)

The latest issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology provides a look at the relationship between pregnancy and gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. In a telephone survey, about 260 women were studied at intervals of 12, 24 and 36 weeks of pregnancy as well as at 1 year postpartum.

The results of this study showed that the incidence of frequent GERS was higher after pregnancy than for women in the control group.

Researchers concluded that "incidence of GERS is similar across the three trimesters of pregnancy. Accumulated weight gain during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of GERS in the third trimester. Pregnancy might constitute a risk factor for developing GERS 1 yr postpartum."

Brenda