Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) refers to the association of symptoms or complications due to the reflux of gastric contents into the esophageal lumen. This is important to distinguish from gastroesophageal reflux (GER), which is the reflux of food contents into the esophagus and oropharynx. GER is common in newborns, with an estimated prevalence of approximately 50%. It is most common in neonates and incidence decreases with age, often extinguishing by 12 months of age. It is rare for infants to have GER beyond 18 months of life.

It is unclear whether a higher frequency of GER events predisposes infants to GERD.

Patients with chronic cough and impaired mucosal clearance (eg, cystic fibrosis) and esophageal dysmotility (eg, esophageal atresia following repair) are predisposed to GERD.