Mary:

   My understanding is that esophageal reflux is defined by: a) the number of
times the food and bile is sent back up into the esophagus and b) how long it
sits up there.

   The two test done are: a barium swallow that allows one to watch the path
down adn see what happens when the barium pases the sphincter. The other test
is a ph probe. A probe is inserted connected to a recording device, it is
worn for 24 hours during which time it records the episodes or reflux and the
time that the food/bile is in the esophagus. The parents are responsbile for
keeping a log of eatingn times and amouts so that the episodes can be looked
at in relationship to the time of intake.

   While MOST spitting is benign as we have discussed esophageal reflux can
be very serious... the difference... MY feeling is that a lot of the
difference lies in the behavior of the infant.  An infant with reflux is
usually not a happy person. they can be in a lot of discomfort.

                                          Patricia