Food habits in 10-11-year-old children with functional gastrointestinal disorders

Prevalence of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders and Associated Risk Factors Among Preschool Children in the City of Jeddah and Surrounding Areas: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background/Objectives: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) affect children's daily activities and overall performance due to gastrointestinal symptoms. This study assesses the prevalence and types of FGIDs in children living in Jeddah City and its countryside. It also examines factors that contribute to the incidence of these disorders and their impact on children's lifestyles. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 285 mothers of preschool children enrolled in kindergartens during the academic year 2020-2021. The Rome IV Diagnostic Questionnaire was sent out online through kindergartens to be filled out by the children's mothers. The questionnaire assessed the prevalence of FGIDs subjectively through symptoms and their frequency. Results: Among the 285 participants, 9% (n = 27) fit the diagnostic criteria for FGIDs. Common FGIDs included functional constipation, 3.5% (n = 10); postprandial distress syndrome, 2.4% (n = 7); functional abdominal pain-not otherwise specified, 1% (n = 3); and functional epigastric pain, 0.7% (n = 2). Significant risk factors for developing FGIDs among the children in the sample included being a preterm baby (p < 0.01), being previously diagnosed with a gastrointestinal condition (p < 0.010), having a family history of diarrhea or nausea and vomiting (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively), skipping lunch at kindergarten (p < 0.01), and having pre-existing food allergies (p < 0.01). Conclusions: FGIDs were prevalent among 9% of children in Jeddah City and its countryside. Functional constipation was the most common disorder. Factors associated with FGIDs in children included preterm birth, being previously diagnosed with a GI condition, a family history of gastrointestinal conditions, irregular eating habits, and food allergies.

Global Dietary Patterns and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGIDs) are common. In the United States alone, approximately 25 million Americans are estimated to have at least one FGID. Nonpharmacological treatment options include psychological/behavioral approaches, and dietary interventions that can vary across countries. The aim of this review is to evaluate the available evidence for dietary interventions for the treatment of childhood FGIDs amongst various cultures and regions of the world. This review includes clinical trials of dietary therapies for the treatment of FGIDs in children posted on or before 13 July 2020 in PubMed. Overall, the consensus view suggests that the westernization of diets is linked to the development of FGIDs, and diets low in Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols (FODMAPs) may reduce abdominal symptoms. However, more work is needed to confirm these findings.

Association Between Repeated Episodes of Gastroenteritis and Mental Health Problems in Childhood and Adolescence

OBJECTIVE

The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) and Maternal Adversity, Vulnerability and Neurodevelopment (MAVAN) cohorts were used to determine whether repeated exposure to gastroenteritis in early life could predict risk for psychiatric problems in childhood and in ALSPAC adolescents. We determined whether inflammatory biomarkers moderated the association between repeated gastroenteritis and mental health in adolescents from ALSPAC.

METHOD

Episodes of gastroenteritis from birth to 30 and 36 months were reported by mothers. Psychological problems were assessed using the total difficulties and subscale scores on the Revised Rutter Parent Scale for Preschool Children at 42 months and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) at 81 months in ALSPAC. Presence of psychiatric disorders at 15.5 years was assessed using the Development and Well-Being Assessment (DAWBA) in ALSPAC. In the MAVAN replication cohort, total difficulties were assessed on the SDQ at 60 and 72 months. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) at 9.5 years and CRP at 15.5 years were measured in ALSPAC participants.

RESULTS

Repeated gastroenteritis associated with the total difficulties score in ALSPAC and MAVAN children. The β values were small, indicating that the clinical relevance of these findings requires further investigation. Repeated gastroenteritis was significantly associated with an increased prevalence of externalizing disorders at age 15.5 years, but odds ratios were small. CRP or IL-6 at 9.5 years or CRP at 15.5 years did not significantly moderate the association between repeated gastroenteritis and prevalence of psychiatric disorders.

CONCLUSION

Identifying factors associated with vulnerability to psychopathology is key to early identification of individuals at risk.

A Link between Nutritional and Growth States in Pediatric Patients with Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

OBJECTIVE

To investigate nutritional status and growth status of pediatric patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) and to examine the relationship between nutritional status and linear growth in these children.

STUDY DESIGN

In total, 102 pediatric patients diagnosed with functional constipation (FC), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or functional abdominal pain (FAP) in years 2013-2015 were subjected to anthropometric measurements. Anthropometry comprised body height, leg and trunk lengths, body weight, mid-upper arm circumference, and 3 skinfold thicknesses. Body fat percentage was obtained with bioelectrical impedance analysis. Indices of the nutritional status and body proportions were calculated and adjusted for age and sex.

RESULTS

Excessive body weight and excessive fatness were the most common in children with IBS. Being underweight was most common in children with FAP, but fat deficiency was similarly frequent in the FAP and in FC groups. Short stature was the most common in children with FC. Children with IBS were the best nourished and the tallest for age and sex due to increased trunk length. Body height and linear body proportions adjusted for age and sex were positively associated with body weight and body fatness in the total sample.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with FGIDs present various linear growth abnormalities that are associated with body weight and body fatness. Although excessive body weight and body fat are common in children with IBS, pediatricians should be aware of the risk of malnutrition in children with other FGIDs.

Nutritional habits in functional dyspepsia and its subgroups: a comparative study

OBJECTIVE

Research data demonstrating nutritional habits of functional dyspepsia (FD) patients are very limited. This is the first study to evaluate nutritional habits in FD subgroups according to Rome III criteria. Our aim was to evaluate nutritional habits of FD patients and determine the food items that may provoke a dyspepsia symptom.

METHODS

A total of 168 adults with FD and 135 healthy control subjects participated in the study. FD subjects were divided into epigastric pain syndrome (EP-FD), postprandial distress syndrome (PS-FD), mixed (MX-FD) subgroups according to Rome Criteria III. Subjects completed a questionnaire that included a short-form food frequency questionnaire. Furthermore, subjects were asked to list the food items that were causing a dyspepsia symptom.

RESULTS

Functional dyspepsia subjects had a slightly higher BMI (26.1 ± 4.97 kg/m(2)) than control subjects (24.6 ± 4.08 kg/m(2)). The most common symptom triggering foods among all the FD groups were fried and fatty foods (27.1%), hot spices (26.4%), and carbonated drinks (21.8%). In FD subgroups, carbonated drinks were more likely to cause a symptom in PS-FD group (37.3%) than MX-FD (25.7%) and EP-FD (22.1%) groups. There was no difference in frequency of main meals and snacks among any of the groups.

CONCLUSION

Fatty and spicy foods and carbonated drinks were the most common symptom triggering food items in FD group. In subgroups, carbonated drinks and legumes were more likely to cause a symptom in PS-FD. Removing these food items during the course of treatment might help alleviate the symptoms.

Child and parent perceived food-induced gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life in children with functional gastrointestinal disorders

It is unknown whether children with functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders identify specific foods that exacerbate their GI symptoms. The objectives of this study were to determine the perceived role of food on GI symptoms and to determine the impact of food-induced symptoms on quality of life (QOL) in children with functional GI disorders. Between August and November 2010, 25 children ages 11 to 17 years old with functional GI disorders and a parent completed a food symptom association questionnaire and validated questionnaires assessing FGID symptoms and QOL. In addition, children completed a 24-hour food recall, participated in focus groups to identify problematic foods and any coping strategies, and discussed how their QOL was affected. Statistical analyses were conducted using χ2, t test, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed rank, and Spearman's ρ. Children identified a median of 11 (range=2 to 25) foods as exacerbating a GI symptom, with the most commonly identified foods being spicy foods, cow's milk, and pizza. Several coping strategies were identified, including consuming smaller portions, modifying foods, and avoiding a median of 8 (range=1 to 20) foods. Children reported that food-induced symptoms interfered with school performance, sports, and social activities. Although the parent's assessment of their child's QOL negatively correlated with the number of perceived symptom-inducing foods in their child, this relationship was not found in the children. Findings suggest that specific foods are perceived to exacerbate GI symptoms in children with functional GI disorders. In addition, despite use of several coping strategies, food-induced symptoms can adversely impact children's QOL in several important areas.

Gastrointestinal symptoms in adolescents with type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

To compare the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in adolescents with and without type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and to relate the symptoms in patients to demographic, socioeconomic, diabetes-specific variables, and food habits.

METHOD

In a population-based, cross-sectional setting, 173 adolescents with T1DM and 160 matched controls completed a questionnaire. Moreover, 13 patients and 1 control were excluded due to having a GI disorder.

RESULTS

Moreover, 75% of patients and 77% of controls reported at least one GI symptom (ns). More girls than boys reported symptoms. Reflux episodes were more prevalent in patients with poorer socioeconomic status. Poor appetite, loss of weight, an uncomfortable feeling of fullness, swallowing difficulties, and nausea were more prevalent in patients smoking daily compared with patients not smoking daily. Vomiting was more prevalent in patients with duration of diabetes >7 yr, and patients with reflux episodes had higher glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Belching and early satiety were more prevalent in patients with an irregular meal pattern.

CONCLUSIONS

GI symptoms in adolescents are common, but the prevalence is not increased in those with T1DM. GI symptoms in adolescents with T1DM are associated with female sex, poorer socioeconomic status, daily cigarette smoking, longer duration of diabetes, poorer metabolic control, and an irregular meal pattern.