Prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders in school-aged children in El Salvador

The prevalence of rumination syndrome and rumination disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Rumination is characterized by the repeated regurgitation of food. Rumination syndrome is a disorder of gut-brain interaction diagnosed by Rome criteria, whereas rumination disorder is a feeding and eating disorder diagnosed by DSM-5 criteria. We aimed to determine the global prevalence of rumination according to these criteria across all age groups.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting the prevalence of rumination syndrome according to Rome III and Rome IV and rumination disorder according to the following validated DSM-5 assessments: PARDI, EDA-5, EDY-Q, STEP, and STEP-CHILD. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsychINFO (from January 1, 2006, to June 1, 2023) to identify studies reporting the prevalence of rumination in community settings in participants of any age. We did a meta-analysis to estimate the pooled prevalence and odds ratio (OR) of rumination according to diagnostic criteria, country, and characteristics such as age and sex.

KEY RESULTS

The search strategy generated 1243 studies, of which 147 studies appeared to be relevant. Thirty studies were included, with a total of 114,228 participants, of whom 61,534 of these were adults and 52,694 were children. The pooled prevalence of rumination syndrome in children of all ages according to Rome III criteria was 1.0% (95% CI 0.3-1.6; I2 91.1%), but no data were available for adults. According to Rome IV criteria, the pooled prevalence of rumination syndrome in children of all ages was 0.4% (95% CI 0.2-0.6; I2 56.4%) and 3.7% in adults (95% CI 2.3-5.1; I2 91.4%). The pooled prevalence of rumination disorder in children of all ages according to EDY-Q was 2.1% (95% CI 0.9-3.4; I2 = 78.1%), but only one study utilizing EDY-Q in adults was included (0.7% [95% CI 0.4-1.0]). No data were available for children or adults using any other validated DSM-5 assessments for rumination disorder. Irrespective of diagnostic criteria, the pooled prevalence of rumination was higher in adults compared to children and adolescents (3.0% [95% CI 1.4-4.7; I2 = 98.1%] vs. 0.8% [95% CI 0.4-1.3; I2 = 90.8%]), but higher in adolescents than in children (1.1% [95% CI 0.3-2.0; I2 = 92.8%] vs. 0.1% [95% CI 0.0-0.2; I2 = 24.5%]). In adults, factors independently associated with rumination were female gender (OR 1.4 [95% CI 1.0-2.0]), anxiety (OR 2.3 [95% CI 2.1-2.6]), and depression (OR 1.8 [95% CI 1.2-2.9]). No association between gender and rumination was seen in children.

CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES

The prevalence of rumination is more common in adults than in children. In adults, rumination is associated with female gender, anxiety, and depression. Future population studies should aim to better understand why this behavior is more common in adults and also compare validated DSM-5 assessments for rumination disorder with Rome criteria for rumination syndrome as prevalence may differ.

Psychological distress and coping efficacy in children with disorders of gut-brain interaction

BACKGROUND

Multiple psychological factors influence disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs). We aimed to evaluate psychological distress in Colombian schoolchildren with and without DGBIs.

METHODS

We included children ages 8-18 years without organic medical conditions from largest regional public schools in Colombia. Children completed Spanish versions of Rome III diagnostic questionnaire for DGBIs, State Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC), Children's Somatization Inventory (CSI), and a measure of coping efficacy. These data, demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, were compared between children with DGBIs and healthy peers. Exploratory analyses investigated differences between youth with symptoms of functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs) compared with healthy peers.

KEY RESULTS

Of 1496 children, 281 (mean age 12.9 ± 2.2 years, 49.8% females) self-reported criteria for DGBIs and 125 reported (44.5%) FAPDs. Children with DGBIs had higher trait anxiety, emotional sensitivity, somatization including GI, non-GI, pain-related, and non-pain-related subscales (p < 0.001 each) and lower coping efficacy (p = 0.02) compared to healthy peers. Females had higher trait anxiety and somatization (p = 0.04 and p = 0.005, respectively). State and trait anxiety and coping efficacy differed based on location in children with DGBIs (p = 0.02, p = 0.03, and p < 0.001, respectively). Children with FAPDs had higher trait anxiety (p = 0.02) and somatization (p < 0.001) compared to healthy youth.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Children with DGBIs had higher anxiety, emotional sensitivity, and somatization, and lower coping efficacy compared with healthy youth. This highlights the importance of appraising psychological distress characteristics as well as incorporating conflict resolution, assertiveness training, and resilience building during the treatment of DGBIs.

Effects of probiotic supplementation on abdominal pain severity in pediatric patients with irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

BACKGROUND

Probiotic supplementation has been used to alleviate abdominal pain in children and adolescents with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but the evidence is not compelling. Thus, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were performed to investigate the effects of probiotic supplementation on abdominal pain in pediatric patients with IBS.

METHODS

PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Embase were the available databases searched to find relevant randomized clinical trials up to April 2021. The effect size was expressed as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

Seven RCTs with 441 participants were included, from which the meta-analysis demonstrated that probiotic supplementation has a significant effect on reducing abdominal pain in pediatric patients with IBS (WMD = - 2.36; 95% CI - 4.12 to - 0.60; P = 0.009). Although our study involved children and adolescents (≤ 18 years), the effects of probiotic supplementation seem to be more potent in patients under 10 years old (WMD = - 2.55; 95% CI - 2.84 to - 2.27) compared to patients aged 10-18 years (WMD = - 1.70; 95% CI - 2.18 to - 1.22). The length of supplementation longer than four weeks was more effective (WMD = - 2.43; 95% CI - 2.76 to - 2.09).

CONCLUSION

Probiotic supplementation can reduce abdominal pain in pediatric patients with IBS.

A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS IN SCHOOLCHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH FUNCTIONAL GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS ACCORDING TO ROME IV CRITERIA

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in children according to Rome IV criteria.

METHODS

We included cohorts and observational descriptive studies, including information for the prevalence of FGIDs according to Rome IV criteria in children 4 to 18 years old. We searched the MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE, LILACS, and CENTRAL databases from May 2016 to nowadays. Gray literature and other databases were also consulted. The risk of bias was assessed using the STROBE Statement. The results were reported in forest plots of the estimated effects of the included studies with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI).

RESULTS

We included 14 studies involving a total of 17427 participants. Three studies were conducted in Europe, two in North America, and nine in Latin America. Most studies were school-based (n=14670, 84.18%), participants were mostly female (55.49%), white (51.73%), 8 to 18 years old (77.64%), and assisted to a public school (81.53%). Thirteen studies used the Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms (QPGS-RIV) to assess FGIDs. We found a global prevalence for FGIDs of 23% (95%CI 21-25%, I2 99%). Main disorders were functional constipation (FC) with 12% (95%CI 11-15%) followed by functional dyspepsia (FD) (5%, 95%CI 11-15%) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (3%, 95%CI 2-4%). The prevalence of FGIDs was higher in the Americas, representing 23.67% (95%CI 21.2-26.2%, I2 91.3%).

CONCLUSION

FGIDs are present in one of four children and adolescents, representing a common condition in this age group the central disorders were FC, FD, and IBS.

Functional dyspepsia in children: A study of pathophysiological factors

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is common in children, and treatment targeted towards the altered pathophysiology can improve outcome. We evaluated FD children for abnormality of gastric accommodation and emptying, psychological stressors (PS), Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection, and post-infectious FD.

METHODS

Diagnosis of FD was based on ROME III criteria. Clinical evaluation including dyspeptic symptom scoring and assessment for PS was performed. Satiety drink test for gastric accommodation, gastroscopy with biopsy for HP infection, and solid meal gastric emptying were performed. Sixty-seven healthy children were enrolled for assessing PS and satiety drink test.

RESULTS

Fifty-five FD children (33 boys, age 12 [6-18] years) with symptoms for 4 (2-48) months and dyspeptic score of 5 (1-13) were enrolled. PS were more common in FD than in controls (46/55 vs 9/67; P < 0.001). Median satiety drink volume was 360 mL (180-1320 mL); no patients had satiety drink volume of < 5th centile of healthy children. The frequency (98% vs 85%; P = 0.01) and severity (65 [10-175] vs 50 [5-130]; P < 0.001) of postprandial symptoms were higher in FD than in controls. Of the postprandial symptoms, pain (20.3% vs 0%; P = 0.000) was present only in FD. Delayed gastric emptying was present in 6.5%, HP infection in 11%, and post-infectious FD in 13% cases. Etiological factor was identified in 87% children, with 20% having multiple factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormality of gastric sensorimotor function is seen in one-fourth of FD cases. HP infection and post-infectious FD are present in 11% and 13% cases, respectively.

National Prevalence of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Jordanian Children

Introduction

Functional gastrointestinal disorders are common in children. After the introduction of Rome criteria for diagnosis, assessment of prevalence of such disorders became an attainable goal. Since data from our part of the world are scarce, this study aimed at estimating the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders in Jordanian children.

Patients and Methods

In a school-based cross-sectional study, recruited children between the age of 4 and 18 were asked to fill the Arabic version of the Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms-Rome III Version (QPGS-RIII). Patients were identified based on meeting the ROME III criteria.

Results

Of 2000 children that were recruited, 1587 (79.4%) returned completed questionnaires. Males accounted for 841 (53%) of participants. Mean age was 10.2 years (range, 4 to 18 years). A total of 815 (51.4%) of participants were younger group (4 to 10 years of age), mean ± SD age of the two age groups was 8.1 ± 1.4 and 14.0 ± 1.8 years, respectively. Overall, 514 (32.4%) children met the criteria for having at least one FGID. The most common FGIDs in Jordanian children were functional constipation, followed by Aerophagia, abdominal migraine, and irritable bowel syndrome (prevalence estimates of 16.0%, 7.0%, 5.1%, and 3.6%, respectively). FGIDs were more common in younger girls and older boys but were not statistically significant. Concomitant presence of more than one FGID was observed in almost 15% and 22% of younger and older age groups, respectively.

Conclusion

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are common in Jordanian school children. Functional constipation is the most common disorder. Further studies investigating the predisposing factors in our population are needed.

Self-reported specific learning disorders and risk factors among Hungarian adolescents with functional abdominal pain disorders: a cross sectional study

BACKGROUND

Despite its increasing clinical significance and diagnostic challenges, little is known about functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs) in Central-Eastern Europe. In this paper, the prevalence and potential sociodemographic correlates of FAPDs among Hungarian adolescents are explored.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, nationwide, questionnaire study in a representative sample of 657 adolescents has been conducted. With a response rate of 80.2%, 522/527 (99.1%) questionnaires were eligible for data analysis (N = 267, 51.1% girls, mean age 14.8, SD 2.4 years). The questionnaire included sociodemographic variables (age, sex, place of residence, marital status of the parents, family income, religion, educational level of parents), questions regarding self-reported specific learning disorders and the Questionnaire for Paediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rome ΙΙΙ Edition.

RESULTS

The prevalence of FAPDs was 11.9% (N = 62). FAPDs were significantly associated with female sex. Living in a county town showed a negative correlation with FAPD. Adolescents with self-reported arithmetic learning disorders had an 8.7-fold likelihood of FAPD (OR, 8.7; 95% CI (3.5-21.9). Adolescent girls reported pain in all subtypes of FAPDs more frequently than adolescent boys except functional abdominal pain syndrome. The most prevalent FAPD was abdominal migraine (N = 32, 6.1%), followed by irritable bowel syndrome (N = 24, 4.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of FAPDs in Hungary is similar to that reported worldwide, however, contrary to international data, abdominal migraine is the most frequently encountered FAPD in Hungary. In addition to well-known correlates of FAPDs, such as female sex and place of residence, arithmetic learning disorders have also been identified as correlating with the prevalence of FAPDs. Our results suggest culture-specific differences in the distribution of FAPDs, and confirm the significance of school performance indicators such as specific learning disorders as a correlate of FAPDs.

Subtipos del síndrome de intestino irritable en niños

La prevalencia del síndrome de intestino irritable (SII) pediátrico es 1,2%-5,4%, y los subtipos en niños latinoamericanos, no está especificada. El objetivo de este estudio es caracterizar los subtipos del SII y sus posibles asociaciones. Estudio de prevalencia en niños entre los ocho y 18 años de edad con SII según los Criterios de Roma III. Se tomaron variables sociodemográficas, familiares y clínicas. Los subtipos de SII se consideraron por la consistencia de las heces en SII con estreñimiento (SII-e); diarrea (SII-d); mixto (SII-m) y sin subtipo (SII-ss). La estadística incluyó análisis uni y bivariados. Los datos fueron analizados usando t-student a dos colas, chi2, prueba exacta de Fisher y razón de prevalencia (RP) con IC95%, siendo p<0,05 significativa. Fueron incluidos 196 niños (53,6% femeninos; mediana de 11 años); presentándose SII-ss en 64,8%, SII-e en 19,9%, SII-m en 8,7% y SII-d en 6,6%. Hubo diferencias significativas en las características de las heces (p=0,01), en la incontinencia fecal (p=0,02), en los fecalomas (p=0,00); y posibles asociaciones entre el SII-d, ciudad (p=0,00) y malnutrición (p=0,02). En conclusión, luego del SII-ss, ¼ de los niños estudiados presentó SII-e, seguido del SII-m y SII-d; presentándose el SII-d con mayor oportunidad en malnutridos.

Post-infectious functional gastrointestinal disorders in children after a non-severe dengue episode without warning signs

Introduction: The pathogenesis of functional gastrointestinal disorders involves infectious agents such as viruses. Objective: To study the development of functional gastrointestinal disorders 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after an episode of non-severe dengue without warning signs in children. Materials and methods: We conducted a cohort study in 73 children diagnosed with non-severe dengue without warning signs at Hospital Universitario del Valle “Evaristo García” and 62 healthy children from Cali, Colombia. Using the Questionnaire for Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rome III (QPGS-III) in Spanish we identified functional gastrointestinal disorders 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after non-severe dengue without warning signs. Measurements of central tendency, relative risk, chi square, and Fisher’s exact test were performed, with p<0.05 being significant. Results: We included 135 children who were 10.7±1.9 years old; 51.1% of them were male and 19.3% had a functional gastrointestinal disorder (9.6% of them had abdominal pain related to functional gastrointestinal disorders). There was a greater risk to present a functional gastrointestinal disorder and related abdominal pain in children after non-severe dengue without warning signs at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of follow-up, but without significant differences. Conclusion: Our study suggests that non-severe dengue without warning signs does not increase the risk of functional gastrointestinal disorders and related abdominal pain for up to 12 months of follow-up.

¿El antecedente de dengue está asociado a la presencia de Desórdenes Gastrointestinales Funcionales en Niños?

Introducción: La patogénesis de los desórdenes gastrointestinales funcionales (DGFs) es multifactorial.Objetivo: Investigar la prevalencia de DGFs luego del antecedente de dengue.Materiales y métodos: Estudio de prevalencia en niños entre 8-18 años de edad. Se tomaron variables sociodemográficas, clínicas y el antecedente del último año de dengue diagnosticado en urgencias. Se aplicó el Cuestionario para Síntomas Gastrointestinales Pediátricos Roma III en Español para DGFs. El análisis estadístico incluyó el cálculo del OR, con IC95% y Fisher a dos colas, con una p<0.05 significativo.Resultados: Fueron incluidos 4023 niños con edad 11,9±2,3 años y 50,1% masculinos. La prevalencia para presentar al menos 1 DGFs fue 23.0% y del antecedente de haber presentado dengue en el último año del 7,5%; habiendo predominio en escolares entre 8-12 años de edad (OR=1,56 IC95%=1,20-2,04 p=0,0006) y con al menos 1 DGFs (OR=1,98 IC95%=1,53-2,56 p<0,0001). En los niños que por antecedente presentaron dengue en el último año, hubo diferencias significativas cuando tenían padres separados/divorciados.Conclusión: En este grupo de niños, los DGFs son frecuentes, presentándose mayor oportunidad de tener algún DGFs en los escolares entre los 8-12 años de edad cuando se tiene el antecedente de dengue diagnosticado en un servicio de urgencias.

Prevalence of Functional Defecation Disorders in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the literature regarding the epidemiology of functional constipation and functional nonretentive fecal incontinence (FNRFI) in children. Secondary objectives were to assess the geographical, age, and sex distribution of functional constipation and FNRFI and to evaluate associated factors.

STUDY DESIGN

The Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase databases were searched from 2006 until September 2017. The following inclusion criteria were applied: (1) prospective studies of population-based samples; (2) reporting on the prevalence of functional constipation or FNRFI according to the Rome III/IV criteria; (3) in children aged 0-18 years; and (4) published in full manuscript form. A quality assessment of included studies was conducted. Random effect meta-analyses with meta-regression analyses of study characteristics were performed.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven studies were included, of which 35 reported on the prevalence of functional constipation and 15 of FNRFI. The reported prevalence of functional constipation ranged from 0.5% to 32.2%, with a pooled prevalence of 9.5% (95% CI 7.5-12.1). The prevalence of FRNFI ranged from 0.0% to 1.8%, with a pooled prevalence of 0.4% (95% CI 0.2-0.7). The prevalence of functional constipation was 8.6% in boys compared with 8.9% in girls (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.9-1.4). Geographical location, dietary habits, and exposure to stressful life events were reported to be associated with the prevalence of functional constipation. Data on FNRFI were scarce and no associated factors were identified.

CONCLUSION

Functional constipation is common in childhood and is associated with geographical location, lifestyle factors, and stressful life events. FNRFI is rare, and no associated factors were identified.

Irritable bowel syndrome in children: Current knowledge, challenges and opportunities

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common and troublesome disorder in children with an increasing prevalence noted during the past two decades. It has a significant effect on the lives of affected children and their families and poses a significant burden on healthcare systems. Standard symptom-based criteria for diagnosis of pediatric IBS have changed several times during the past two decades and there are some differences in interpreting symptoms between different cultures. This has posed a problem when using them to diagnose IBS in clinical practice. A number of potential patho-physiological mechanisms have been described, but so far the exact underlying etiology of IBS is unclear. A few potential therapeutic modalities have been tested in children and only a small number of them have shown some benefit. In addition, most of the described patho-physiological mechanisms and treatment options are based on adult studies. These have surfaced as challenges when dealing with pediatric IBS and they need to be overcome for effective management of children with IBS. Recently suggested top-down and bottom-up models help integrating reported patho-physiological mechanisms and will provide an opportunity for better understanding of the diseases process. Treatment trials targeting single treatment modalities are unlikely to have clinically meaningful therapeutic effects on IBS with multiple integrating patho-physiologies. Trials focusing on multiple combined pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies are likely to yield more benefit. In addition to treatment, in the future, attention should be paid for possible prevention strategies for IBS.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders in children from low socio-economic status and Helicobacter pylori infection

BACKGROUND

Most studies on functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in children are based on data from the northern hemisphere. Scientific reports are arising in South American population, but little is still known about children from low socio-economic status (SES), where Helicobacter pylori infection is endemic. Our objective was to evaluate the prevalence of FGIDs in school children from low SES and its relationship with H. pylori infection.

METHODS

Children from 3 public schools of low SES from Santiago de Chile were included. Students completed the Rome III Questionnaire and a survey about other symptoms. Also, the ¹³ C urea breath test determined the presence of H. pylori infection.

RESULTS

Five hundred six children were included, where 48% were male, with a median age of 15.7 years (range 7.1-19.6). Forty-two percent had some FGID, aerophagia and functional constipation being the most frequent. Females (adjusted OR 1.5, 95% CI [1.1, 2.2]), those children with parents within the lowest level of education (adjusted OR 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1-2.4), and family history of gastric cancer (adjusted OR 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2-3.1) were related to FGIDs. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 55.9% (95% CI [50.7, 60.9]). In multivariable analysis, the presence of abdominal pain (OR 1.55, 95% CI [1.02, 2.36]), but not FGIDs, was related to H. pylori infection.

CONCLUSIONS

FGIDs are common in low SES students. A low educational level of the household head, family history of gastric cancer. and being female are related to the development of FGIDs. In this study, no relationship between the presence of H. pylori and FGIDs was found.

Prevalence of Functional Constipation and Relationship with Dietary Habits in 3- to 8-Year-Old Children in Japan

Objectives

To determine the prevalence and effect of dietary habits on functional constipation in preschool and early elementary school children in Japan.

Study Design

A total of 3595 children aged 3 to 8 years from 28 nursery schools and 22 elementary schools in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, were evaluated. The subjects were divided into a functional constipation group and a nonfunctional constipation group according to the Rome III criteria. Dietary intake data were collected using a brief-type, self-administered, diet-history questionnaire validated for Japanese preschool-aged children.

Results

Of the 3595 subjects evaluated, 718 (20.0%) had functional constipation. The association between functional constipation and gender was not statistically significant (p = 0.617). A decrease in bowel frequency was observed in 15.9% of those with functional constipation. There was no significant difference in the proportion of participants in the constipation group by age (p = 0.112). Binomial logistic regression analysis indicated that only fat per 100 kcal positively correlated with functional constipation [odds ratio = 1.216, 95% confidence interval: 1.0476–1.412].

Conclusions

Functional constipation is common among children in preschool and early elementary school in urban areas of Japan. Parents should pay attention to constipation-related symptoms other than defecation frequency. A high-fat diet should be avoided to prevent functional constipation.

Abdominal Pain-Associated Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder Prevalence in Children and Adolescents with Celiac Disease on Gluten-Free Diet: A Multinational Study

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that children with celiac disease (CD) on gluten-free diet are at increased risk of abdominal pain (AP) associated-functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs).

STUDY DESIGN

This was a multinational cross-sectional study performed from 2014 to 2015. Patients 4-18 years of age with CD on gluten-free diet for longer than 6 months were recruited from pediatric CD clinics in US and Italy. Control groups included siblings of children with CD (with normal tissue transglutaminase levels) and unrelated controls. Subjects or parents completed the Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms-Rome III.

RESULTS

Children (n = 289) were recruited (55% US, 45% Italy): 96 children with CD, 96 sibling controls, and 97 unrelated controls. Chronic AP was present in 30 (30.9%) subjects with CD, 22 (22.7%) sibling controls, and 21 (21.6%) unrelated controls (P = .26 patients with CD vs siblings; P = .18 patients with CD vs unrelated; P = .96 siblings vs unrelated). AP-FGIDs were present in 8 (8.2%) subjects with CD, 8 (8.2%) sibling controls, and 2 (2.1%) unrelated controls (P = 1.00 subjects with CD vs sibling controls; P = .06 subjects with CD vs unrelated controls; P = .06 sibling controls vs unrelated controls).

CONCLUSION

This multinational study evaluated the prevalence of chronic abdominal pain and AP-FGIDs in the pediatric population with CD. We found that subjects with CD and controls have a similar prevalence of chronic AP and AP-FGIDs. This suggests that not all types of gastrointestinal inflammation result in AP-FGIDs in children.

Pain Measurement in Children with Functional Abdominal Pain

Functional abdominal pain (FAP) occurs frequently in pediatric patients. Lacking clear biomarkers, clinicians and researchers must rely on patient reports of pain intensity. Presently, there are challenges affecting our ability to use existing measures of self-reported pediatric pain intensity. This report discusses those challenges, finding that: (a) inter-rater agreement of children's pain intensity is generally low; (b) typically used approaches to measuring outcomes may yield high levels of unreliable reports of improvement;

Childhood constipation as an emerging public health problem

Functional constipation (FC) is a significant health problem in children and contrary to common belief, has serious ramifications on the lives of children and their families. It is defined by the Rome criteria which encourage the use of multiple clinical features for diagnosis. FC in children has a high prevalence (0.7%-29%) worldwide, both in developed and developing countries. Biopsychosocial risk factors such as psychological stress, poor dietary habits, obesity and child maltreatment are commonly identified predisposing factors for FC. FC poses a significant healthcare burden on the already overstretched health budgets of many countries in terms of out-patient care, in-patient care, expenditure for investigations and prescriptions. Complications are common and range from minor psychological disturbances, to lower health-related quality of life. FC in children also has a significant impact on families. Many paediatric clinical trials have poor methodological quality, and drugs proved to be useful in adults, are not effective in relieving symptoms in children. A significant proportion of inadequately treated children have similar symptoms as adults. These factors show that constipation is an increasing public health problem across the world with a significant medical, social and economic impact. This article highlights the potential public health impact of FC and the possibility of overcoming this problem by concentrating on modifiable risk factors rather than expending resources on high cost investigations and therapeutic modalities.