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A Population-Based Study on the Epidemiology of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Young Children
Ashish Chogle1, Carlos A Velasco-Benitez2, Ilan J Koppen3
1Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Orange County, Orange, CA.
Insights
Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) affect 40.5% of young children in Colombia. Functional constipation is the most common FGID in both infants and older children, with higher prevalence in certain family structures.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Public Health Epidemiology
Background:
- Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are prevalent conditions in pediatric populations worldwide.
- Understanding the epidemiology of FGIDs in diverse geographic regions is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of FGIDs in Colombian children aged 0-48 months using Rome III criteria.
- To identify specific FGIDs and associated demographic factors in this population.
Main Methods:
- A multicity cross-sectional study was conducted with 1231 participants.
- The Spanish version of the Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms for Infants & Toddlers was administered to parents.
- Children with organic medical diseases were excluded from the analysis.
Main Results:
- 40.5% of children (n=480) were diagnosed with at least one FGID.
- Functional constipation was the most prevalent FGID in both infants (16.1%) and children aged 13-48 months (26.8%).
- FGID prevalence was higher in first-born children, only children, and those with divorced or separated parents.
Conclusions:
- FGIDs are common in children under four years old in Colombia.
- Functional constipation is a significant issue across different pediatric age groups.
- Family structure may be associated with the prevalence of FGIDs in children.
Objective:
To perform a population-based study with Rome III criteria to describe the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in children in Colombia.
Study Design:
We conducted a multicity cross-sectional study to investigate the epidemiology of FGIDs in children 0-48 months of age using the Rome III criteria in Colombia. Children with organic medical diseases were excluded. Parents provided demographic information and completed the Spanish version of the Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms for Infants & Toddlers.
Results:
Parents of 1231 subjects completed the questionnaires; 48 children were excluded due to presence of organic diseases and being older than 48 months of age. Four hundred eighty children (40.5%) were diagnosed with at least 1 FGID according to the Rome III diagnostic criteria (49% female, median 12 months). Functional constipation was the most commonly diagnosed disorder in infants (up to 12 months of age) and children of ages 13-48 months (16.1% and 26.8%, respectively). Analysis revealed that the prevalence of FGID was significantly greater in children who were the only child in the family (P = .003), children who were first-born (P = .007), and children with divorced or separated parents. (P = .001).
Conclusions:
FGIDs are common in children younger than 4 years of age. Functional constipation and infant colic were the most common FGIDs in infants (up to 12 months of age), and functional constipation and rumination were the most common FGIDs in children 13-48 months of age.
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