Herbal Approaches to Pediatric Functional Abdominal Pain

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Complementary and Integrative Medicine
• Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Background:

• Chronic abdominal pain affects about 20% of children globally, often diagnosed as abdominal-pain-related functional gastrointestinal disorders (AP-FGIDs) per Rome IV criteria.
• AP-FGIDs encompass conditions like functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional abdominal pain, and abdominal migraine, with IBS being the most common.
• The development of AP-FGIDs is multifactorial, involving genetics, early life experiences, psychosocial factors, and altered physiological processes such as visceral sensitivity and central nervous system processing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review popular herbal treatments used in complementary medicine for pediatric AP-FGIDs.
• To assess the efficacy and safety of these herbal remedies based on available scientific data.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of herbal treatments for pediatric AP-FGIDs.
• Analysis of studies on peppermint oil, Iberogast, cannabis, fennel, and licorice.

Main Results:

• Available studies suggest these herbal remedies are generally well-tolerated with minimal side effects.
• Evidence indicates these treatments are at least as effective as placebo for pediatric AP-FGIDs.
• High-quality data supporting efficacy is limited, necessitating further research.

Conclusions:

• Herbal treatments are of significant interest for pediatric AP-FGIDs.
• While promising, more rigorous placebo-controlled studies are required to confirm efficacy and safety.
• These complementary approaches may offer valuable options alongside conventional treatments for children with chronic abdominal pain.