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Most children stop bringing up their food by the time they are 1 year to 18 months old.

By the time they are 10 to 12 months of age, only 1 in 30 children is still having problems and bringing up food, compared with nearly a quarter at the age of 6 months.^{1 2}

It's very rare for these problems to lead to complications. But some children do have problems. These can include:³

• Bleeding and painful esophagus. The child may cough up blood, and get anemia caused by the loss of blood.
• Breathing problems, such as coughing, breathlessness and wheezing.
• Failure to thrive, grow and develop at the usual rate for the child's age.

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.