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Functional aerophagia in children: a frequent, atypical disorder

Giuliana Morabito1, Claudia Romeo1, Claudio Romano1

  • 1Pediatric Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.

Case Reports in Gastroenterology
|May 22, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Aerophagia, or excessive air swallowing, can cause significant abdominal distension in children. Early diagnosis and psychological counseling are key to managing this functional gastrointestinal disorder.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Background:

  • Aerophagia is characterized by repetitive air swallowing, leading to symptoms like abdominal distension, belching, and flatulence.
  • It can mimic serious pediatric gastrointestinal motility disorders and is more common in children with intellectual disabilities.

Observation:

  • Two pediatric cases with functional constipation presented with significant gaseous abdominal distension.
  • Other potential causes like mechanical intestinal obstruction, pseudo-obstruction, malabsorption, and congenital aganglionic megacolon were excluded.
  • The primary symptom of extensive gaseous abdominal distension was attributed to aerophagia.

Findings:

  • Functional aerophagia can present as a primary cause of severe gaseous abdominal distension in children.
  • It is crucial to differentiate aerophagia from more severe gastrointestinal motility disorders in pediatric patients.
  • Diagnostic investigations for organic causes may be avoided with early recognition of aerophagia.

Implications:

  • Early recognition and diagnosis of aerophagia in children are essential to prevent unnecessary investigations and complications.
  • Psychological counseling and parental reassurance are effective management strategies for pediatric aerophagia.
  • Increased awareness of aerophagia in pediatric practice is needed to improve patient outcomes.

Keywords:
AerophagiaBloatingFunctional gastrointestinal disordersMegacolonPediatric

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