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Functional gastrointestinal disorders are highly prevalent in children with short stature and linked to reduced

Xi Bai1, Xiaoyuan Guo2, Zhibo Zhou2

  • 1Key Laboratory of Endocrine Glucose & Lipids Metabolism and Brain Aging, Ministry of Education, Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China.

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|September 17, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) affect nearly half of children with short stature, significantly impacting their growth velocity. Addressing FGIDs, particularly functional dyspepsia and functional constipation, is crucial for improving growth in these children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Endocrinology
  • Child Health Research

Background:

  • Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are common in children.
  • Short stature affects a significant number of children, with various underlying causes.
  • The relationship between FGIDs and growth status in children with short stature requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of FGIDs in children with short stature.
  • To explore the association between FGIDs and growth velocity in this population.
  • To identify specific FGIDs that may impact growth in children with short stature.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 103 children with short stature was enrolled.
  • Rome IV criteria were used to diagnose FGIDs via questionnaire.
  • Anthropometric, demographic, and laboratory data were collected and analyzed.
  • Children were grouped based on FGID presence for comparative analysis.

Main Results:

  • The overall prevalence of FGIDs was 48.5% in children with short stature.
  • Functional dyspepsia (31.1%) and functional constipation (21.4%) were the most common FGIDs.
  • Children with FGIDs exhibited significantly lower growth velocity (p=0.001).
  • FGIDs were independently associated with reduced growth velocity (β=-0.97, p=0.020).

Conclusions:

  • Children with short stature have a high prevalence of FGIDs.
  • FGIDs, especially functional dyspepsia and functional constipation, are linked to reduced growth velocity.
  • The impact of FGIDs on growth velocity should be a consideration in managing children with short stature.
Abstract

Keywords:
disorders of gut–brain interactionfunctional constipationfunctional dyspepsiagrowth statusshort height

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