Do Distinct Functional Dyspepsia Subtypes Exist in Children?

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
• Dyspepsia Pathophysiology

Background:

• Functional dyspepsia (FD) in adults presents as epigastric pain syndrome (EPS) or postprandial distress syndrome (PDS).
• The presence and evolution of these FD subtypes in children have not been well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of FD subtypes (EPS, PDS, overlap) in children at diagnosis.
• To track changes in FD subtype classification over a 6-month follow-up period.

Main Methods:

• 100 children diagnosed with FD using pediatric Rome III criteria were enrolled.
• FD subtypes were classified using adult Rome III criteria at baseline (T0) and after 6 months (T1).

Main Results:

• At baseline, 17% had EPS, 47% had PDS, and 36% had overlap. Nausea and headache were more prevalent in PDS and overlap groups.
• Significant shifts in subtype classification were observed at follow-up, with patients moving between EPS, PDS, and overlap categories.

Conclusions:

• Two distinct FD subtypes, EPS and PDS, are identifiable in the pediatric population.
• A high degree of overlap and dynamic changes in subtype classification suggest a common pathophysiological basis for FD in children.