Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Neonates and Toddlers According to the Rome IV Criteria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are classified as a combination of persistent gastrointestinal symptoms. The Rome IV criteria can elucidate several factors in the pathogenesis of FGIDs. The frequency of FGIDs can differ between clinical and nonclinical settings and between geographic regions. To determine the global prevalence of FGIDs in neonates and toddlers according to the Rome IV criteria. We included cohort and descriptive observational studies reporting the prevalence of FGIDs according to the Rome IV criteria in children aged 0-48 months. We searched the Medline, Embase, Lilacs, and CENTRAL databases from May 2016 to the present day. Furthermore, unpublished literature was searched to supplement this information. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology statement was used to evaluate the risk of bias. A meta-analysis of the proportions was performed using MetaProp in R. The results are reported in forest plots. We identified and analyzed 15 studies comprising 48,325 participants. Six studies were conducted in Europe, three in Latin America, two in North America, and four in Asia. Most participants were 12-48 months old (61.0%) and were recruited from the community. The global prevalence of FGIDs was 22.0% (95% confidence interval, 15-31%). The most common disorder was functional constipation (9.0%), followed by infant regurgitation syndrome (8.0%). Its prevalence was higher in the Americas (28.0%). FGIDs, as defined by the Rome IV criteria, are present in 22% of children, and the most common primary disorder is functional constipation. A higher prevalence of FGIDs has been reported in America.

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.

Celiac disease in children with Down syndrome

INTRODUCTION

Celiac disease (CD) in children with Down syndrome (DS) has been published by several countries, without available data for Colombia.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency and related factors of CD in children with DS, compared with a group of children without DS, analyzing the clinical, im munological, and genetic manifestations.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

A total of 209 children between 1-18 years of age (8.4 ± 4.1 years, 55.5% female) were studied, 97 with DS and 112 without DS, using anti-transglutaminase antibodies as serological marker (tTG2). Variables of age, gender, race, ori gin, weight, height, and digestive symptoms were studied. Children with positive tTG2 underwent duodenal biopsy and genotype. The proportion of children with DS, without DS, and CD was esti mated and their 95% CI; measures of central tendency, univariate and bivariate analysis, considering a p < 0.05 significant.

RESULTS

Eight children with DS (8.2%) and five children without DS (4.5%) were tTG2 positive (p = 0.200). None presented serum IgA deficiency. One child with DS presented CD with Marsh II (1.0%), and two children with DS (2.1%) and two without DS (1.8%), presen ted potential CD (p = 0.432). Three children were HLA-DQ2. CD was more likely in the preschool group (OR = 6.14 95%CI = 0.41-87.35 p = 0.0462).

CONCLUSIONS

The CD frequency due to intestinal biopsy in children with DS is much lower than that reported in the literature, being associated with preschool, and having DQ2 as its main allele. These findings are similar to those described worldwide.

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.

Desórdenes gastrointestinales funcionales en escolares con dolor abdominal crónico en una unidad de endoscopia digestiva pediátrica

Introducción: La indicación de una endoscopia de vías digestivas altas (EVDA) en niños con dolor abdominal crónico (DAC) tiene poca evidencia; sin embargo, se continúa solicitando en niños con desórdenes gastrointestinales funcionales (DGFs). Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia y posibles asociaciones de DGFs en escolares de una Unidad de Endoscopia Digestiva Pediátrica mediante los Criterios de Roma III. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de prevalencia en 37 escolares. Fueron consideradas variables sociodemográficas, antropométricas y clínicas. El análisis estadístico incluyó estimación de la proporción de niños con DGFs y su correspondiente IC95%, estimación de porcentajes, promedios, desviaciones estándar y rangos, análisis univariado, posible presencia de asociación entre las variables; prueba exacta de Fisher, a dos colas, con un valor de significancia p<0,05. Resultados: La edad media fue de 11,3±2,1 años, siendo un 62,2% mujeres, con una prevalencia de DGFs del 73%, presentando más de la mitad de ellos, dolor abdominal funcional (DAF) y síndrome de intestino irritable (SII). No hubo diferencias significativas en cuanto a las variables sociodemográficas, antropométricas y clínicas. Conclusiones: En niños a quienes se les realiza una EVDA dentro del estudio de su DAC, la prevalencia de DGFs es alta, siendo los más frecuentes el DAF y el SII.

[Overlapping of functional gastrointestinal disorders in latinamerican schoolchildren and adolescents]

INTRODUCTION

There are few studies on overlapping Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGIDs).

OBJECTIVE

To describe the prevalence and possible risk factors in Latin American children (Latam) to present overlapping FGIDs.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Prevalence study in Latam schoolchildren bet ween 8-18 years of age. Sociodemographic variables were included; the Rome III Criteria in Spanish were used, and overlapping FGIDs were considered when two, three or four and more FGIDs were presented in the same child. The statistical analysis included Student's T-test, chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, univariate and multivariate analysis, and calculation of ORs and 95% CI, being considered a significant p < 0.05.

RESULTS

6,193 Latam children were analyzed (11.8 ± 2.2 years, 62.2% between 8-12 years of age, 50.4% girls, 68.0% public school), and 23.4% with a diagnosis of some kind of FGIDs. There was overlap of FGIDs in the same child, in 8.4% (5.5% with 2 FGIDs, 2.1% with 3 FGIDs and 0.9% with 4 or more FGIDs), the main overlaps were irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) + functional abdominal pain (FAP) (2.6%), and IBS + FAP + functional constipation (1.1%). There was predominance of the female gender.

CONCLUSION

There is a low prevalence of overlapping FGIDs in Latam schoolchildren and adolescents, with a predominance in females and of very variable pre sentation.

¿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 markers of celiac disease in Colombian children with diabetes mellitus type 1

Introduction:

Although the association between diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1DM) and celiac disease (CD) is well established; there are only a few studies that focus on South American children, haplotypes and their possible associations.

Objective:

To determine the prevalence of CD markers in a group of children with T1DM and to analyze the associated clinical, immunological and genetic manifestations.

Methods:

A prevalence study focusing on children with T1DM who were assessed based on variables including sociodemographics, anthropometric information, disease characteristics, laboratory results and family medical history. In partitipants a positive tTG2 (Ig A anti-transglutaminase), a duodenal biopsy and genotype were performed. The proportion of children with T1DM and CD was estimated (CI 95%). Determinations of central tendency, univariate and bivariate analysis, were also performed; p <0.05 was considered significant.

Results:

Thirteen (8.4%) of the 155 children (53.6% girls, 11.0 ±3.6 years, 2-18 years) with T1DM were tTG2 positive, four had CD (2.6%), seven had potential CD (4.5%) and nine were HLA DQ2/DQ8 positive (5.8%). Children with T1DM and CD had their last ketoacidotic episode (21.5 ±30.4 months versus 69.5 ±38.8 months, p= 0.0260) earlier than children with T1DM and potential CD. There were no differences with anthropometry or with the laboratory results regarding glycemic control.

Conclusions:

The prevalence of CD in these children with T1DM is higher than that reported in other South American countries. The prevalence of CD was found to be associated with the time of presentation of T1DM and its main allele, the DQ2/DQ8. These findings are different from what has been described in other places around the world.

Prevalence of markers of celiac disease in Colombian children with diabetes mellitus type 1

Introduction: Although the association between diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1DM) and celiac disease (CD) is well established; there are only a few studies that focus on South American children, haplotypes and their possible associations. Objective: To determine the prevalence of CD markers in a group of children with T1DM and to analyze the associated clinical, immunological and genetic manifestations. Methods: A prevalence study focusing on children with T1DM who were assessed based on variables including sociodemographics, anthropometric information, disease characteristics, laboratory results and family medical history. In partitipants a positive tTG2 (Ig A anti-transglutaminase), a duodenal biopsy and genotype were performed. The proportion of children with T1DM and CD was estimated (CI 95%). Determinations of central tendency, univariate and bivariate analysis, were also performed; p <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Thirteen (8.4%) of the 155 children (53.6% girls, 11.0 ±3.6 years, 2-18 years) with T1DM were tTG2 positive, four had CD (2.6%), seven had potential CD (4.5%) and nine were HLA DQ2/DQ8 positive (5.8%). Children with T1DM and CD had their last ketoacidotic episode (21.5 ±30.4 months versus 69.5 ±38.8 months, p= 0.0260) earlier than children with T1DM and potential CD. There were no differences with anthropometry or with the laboratory results regarding glycemic control. Conclusions: The prevalence of CD in these children with T1DM is higher than that reported in other South American countries. The prevalence of CD was found to be associated with the time of presentation of T1DM and its main allele, the DQ2/DQ8. These findings are different from what has been described in other places around the world.

[Irritable bowel syndrome subtypes and characteristics in children from Panama, Ecuador,El Salvador, Nicaragua and Mexico]

INTRODUCTION

Few pediatric studies classify the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) subtypes.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the characteristics and subtypes of IBS in children from Panama, Ecuador, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Mexico.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Prevalence study performed in children between 8 and 18 years of age with a diagnosis of IBS. The children answered the Questionnaire for Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms Roma III for Schoolchildren and Adolescents (QPGS-III) to identify functional gastrointestinal disorders. Variables such as age and sex were taken into account. The subtypes of IBS were classified in IBS with constipation (IBS-c), with diarrhea (IBS-d), mixed (IBS-m) and without subtype (IBS-ss). Statistical analysis included measures of central tendency, two-tailed student t-test, chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test, with a significant p<0.05.

RESULTS

We included 79 children (54.4% female, 12.1±2.1 years) presenting IBS-ss in 55.7%, IBS-c in 15.2%, IBS-m in 15.2% and SII-d in 13.9%. Severe pain predominated most of the day and with mucous stools; possible associations for IBS-d school and sex.

CONCLUSION

After IBS-ss, the IBS-e, IBS-d and IBS-m are similar, being the possible risk factors for IBS-d, the public school and the female gender.

Prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders in Mexican schoolchildren

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

Functional gastrointestinal disorders are among the most common chronic disorders in children worldwide. Studies in schoolchildren from various Latin American countries have shown a high prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders, but their prevalence in Mexican schoolchildren is unknown. Our aim was to assess the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders in Mexican schoolchildren in accordance with the Rome III criteria.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Children and adolescents from public and private schools in Monterrey and Cuernavaca privately completed the Spanish version of the Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms-Rome III Version (QPGS-III) in class, using the same methods and questionnaires of previous studies conducted by our group in other Latin American countries.

RESULTS

A total of 362 schoolchildren (public school 82, private school 280), with a mean age of 11.6±2.1 years completed the QPGS-III. Ninety-nine schoolchildren (27.3%) met the criteria for a FGID, according to the Rome III criteria. Functional constipation was the most common FGID (12.6%). Irritable bowel syndrome (6.4%) was the most common FGID associated with abdominal pain. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of FGIDs between sexes (P=.8).

CONCLUSIONS

We found a high prevalence of FGIDs in Mexican school-aged children and adolescents.

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

BACKGROUND

We studied the epidemiology of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in school-aged Salvadoran children using standardized diagnostic criteria.

AIMS

To determine the prevalence of FGIDs in school-aged children in El Salvador.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 395 children participated in the study (one public school and one private school). School children completed the Spanish version of the Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms-Rome III (QPGS-III), an age-appropriate and previously validated instrument for diagnosing FGIDs according to the Rome III criteria. Sociodemographic (age, sex, type of school) and familial (family structure and size, family history of gastrointestinal disorders) data were obtained.

RESULTS

The mean age of the sample was 11.8 years ± 1.6 SD (median 10, range 8-15) and 59% of the participants were female. Eighty-one children met the diagnostic criteria for a FGID (20%). Defecation disorders were the most common group of FGIDs. Functional constipation was diagnosed in 10% of the children and 9.25% were diagnosed with abdominal pain-related FGIDs (most commonly IBS, 3.75%). IBS overlapped with functional dyspepsia in 11% of the cases. Children with FGIDs frequently reported nausea. Children attending private school and older children had significantly more FGIDs than children in public school and younger children.

CONCLUSIONS

FGIDs are common in school-aged Salvadoran children.

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

BACKGROUND

We studied the epidemiology of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in school-aged Salvadoran children using standardized diagnostic criteria.

AIMS

To determine the prevalence of FGIDs in school-aged children in El Salvador.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 395 children participated in the study (one public school and one private school). School children completed the Spanish version of the Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms-Rome III (QPGS-III), an age-appropriate and previously validated instrument for diagnosing FGIDs according to the Rome III criteria. Sociodemographic (age, sex, type of school) and familial (family structure and size, family history of gastrointestinal disorders) data were obtained.

RESULTS

The mean age of the sample was 11.8 years ± 1.6 SD (median 10, range 8-15) and 59% of the participants were female. Eighty-one children met the diagnostic criteria for a FGID (20%). Defecation disorders were the most common group of FGIDs. Functional constipation was diagnosed in 10% of the children and 9.25% were diagnosed with abdominal pain-related FGIDs (most commonly IBS, 3.75%). IBS overlapped with functional dyspepsia in 11% of the cases. Children with FGIDs frequently reported nausea. Children attending private school and older children had significantly more FGIDs than children in public school and younger children.

CONCLUSIONS

FGIDs are common in school-aged Salvadoran children.