Which of the following is a significant complication associated with GERD?

• A. Headaches
• B. Weight loss or failure to thrive
• C. Hypertension
• D. Hair loss

Answer: (B)

GERD can significantly affect nutrition and growth, especially in infants and children, because reflux and the associated feeding discomfort can reduce how much and how often a child eats. When swallowing is painful or regurgitation is frequent, intake drops and calories may be insufficient, leading to poor weight gain or even weight loss. Over time, this pattern can result in failure to thrive, a clinical sign that growth is not keeping up with age and development. The other options aren’t typical significant complications of GERD: headaches, hypertension, and hair loss are not direct or common consequences of reflux. So the finding most tightly linked to the impact of GERD on nutritional status and growth is weight loss or failure to thrive.