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Prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders in infants and toddlers
Miranda A L van Tilburg1, Paul E Hyman2, Lynne Walker3
1Center for Functional GI and Motility Disorders, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
Insights
Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) affect 27% of infants and toddlers, impacting their quality of life. Early identification and research into these common childhood conditions are crucial.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
- Child Health
Background:
- Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are prevalent in infants and toddlers.
- Parental reporting is key for identifying FGIDs in young children.
- Understanding FGID prevalence is essential for child health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of infant/toddler functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in a community sample.
- To identify common FGIDs in infants and toddlers.
- To explore associations between FGIDs and quality of life.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire-based study involving 320 mothers of children aged 0-3 years.
- Utilized Rome criteria for FGID diagnosis.
- Assessed gastrointestinal symptoms in both children and mothers.
Main Results:
- 27% of infants and toddlers met Rome criteria for FGIDs.
- Infant regurgitation and functional constipation were the most common FGIDs.
- FGIDs were associated with lower quality of life, increased medical/mental health visits, and hospitalizations.
Conclusions:
- FGIDs are common and identifiable in the general infant and toddler population.
- FGIDs negatively impact children's quality of life.
- Further research is needed to address these prevalent childhood conditions.
Objectives:
To determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms suggestive of an infant/toddler functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) as reported by parents in a representative community sample.
Study Design:
Mothers (n = 320) of children aged 0-3 years old were recruited in the US and completed a questionnaire about their child's and their own gastrointestinal symptoms.
Results:
By Rome criteria, 27% of infants/toddlers qualified for FGIDs. Infant regurgitation was the most common disorder in infants and functional constipation in toddlers. No age, sex, or race differences were found in FGID diagnoses. Compared with those who did not meet Rome criteria, toddlers with FGID had lower quality of life (M = 80.1 vs M = 90.3, P < .001), increased medical visits (M = 0.38 vs 0.14; P < .05), mental health visits (M = 0.29 vs 0.06; P < .05), and hospital stays (M = 0.35 vs 0.06; P < .01). A child was more likely to suffer from hard stools if the parent also reported hard stools (P = .02), but similar association was not found with loose stools.
Conclusions:
FGIDs are common in infants and toddlers and can be identified in the general population. They do not vary with sex and race. Quality of life is reduced in those with FGIDs. More research is needed into these largely neglected conditions as it may improve the lives of a significant number of young children.
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