To investigate the incidence and severity of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in pregnancy.

A prospective longitudinal cohort study was conducted among 160 pregnant women (mean age 28.15±8.25). GerdQ questionnaire used to investigate the prevalence of GERD during pregnancy. The non-pregnant women (average age 30.45±5.65) served as the control group. The frequency and severity of reflux symptoms were recorded every three months in both groups.

The GERD questionnaire survey results showed that the scoring range of late pregnancy (3~7 points, 8~10 points, 11-14 points and 15-18 points) was significantly higher than that of the control group (P＜0.05). Among pregnant women, 5.0% had reflux at least once a week in the first three months of pregnancy. In the third trimester of pregnancy, 15.0% of pregnant women had at least one reflux per week, and 2.50% of non-pregnant women had more than one reflux per week (P＜0.05). Among pregnant women, 5.0% had heartburn at least once a week in the first trimester of pregnancy. In the second trimester of pregnancy, 10.0%, 17.5% in the third trimester, and 2.5% of the non-pregnant women had heartburn at least once a week. In the third trimester, 17.5% of the women had heartburn (P＜0.05). From the early pregnancy to the middle and late pregnancy, the frequency of individual symptoms (reflux, burning sensation) increased significantly compared with the non-pregnant women group. The frequency of symptoms reached the peak in the late pregnancy. Compared with the non-pregnant women group and the early pregnancy(P＜0.05). According to the diagnosis, the incidence of GERD was 24.5% in early pregnancy, 37.5% in mid-pregnancy, 52.5% in late pregnancy and 7.5% in non-pregnant women.

The incidence of GERD symptoms in the third trimester of pregnancy significantly higher than that in non-pregnant women, and the incidence increases gradually during pregnancy.