In the first year after birth, more than half of infants will display at least one FGID or related symptoms. Recognizing them and knowing how to treat them is essential.
During infancy, the structure and function of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the nervous system and microbiota are still maturing. This may cause GI tract signs and symptoms that have no obvious structural or biochemical cause1. More than half of infants display at least one FGID or related symptoms during the first year after birth2,6.
In Africa and based on the results from the GASEL observatory, three of the most frequently encountered by daily pediatrics are infant colic (58%), gas/ flatulence (43%) and regurgitations (40%)6. These disorders are associated in more than half of cases: 53% of infants included in the GASEL study suffer from several digestive disorders6.
A standard definition of functional is ‘a combination of often age-dependent, chronic or recurrent symptoms not explained by structural or biochemical abnormalities’3. The Rome Foundation has, since the 1980s, played a pivotal role in creating diagnostic criteria and facilitating the dissemination of new knowledge in the field of FGIDs. Today, the latest criteria published as Rome IV, recognize seven different FGIDs occurring in neonates and toddlers (see figure 1) and provide guidance on their symptoms and management3,4.
Infography: Functional gastrointestinal disorders in early life
References
- Salvatore S, Abkari A, Cai W, et al. Review shows that parental reassurance and nutritional advice help to optimize the management of functional gastrointestinal disorders in infants. Acta Paediatr. April 2018
- Vandenplas Y, et al. Prevalence and health outcomes of functional gastrointestinal symptoms in infants from birth to 12 months of age. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2015;61:531-7
- Benninga M, et al. Childhood Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders:Neonate/Toddler. Gastroenterology. 2016;150:1443-55
- Bellaiche, Marc, et al. “Multiple functional gastrointestinal disorders are frequent in formula‐fed infants and decrease their quality of life.” Acta Paediatrica 107.7 (2018): 1276-1282.
- Glanville, Julie, et al. “Costs associated with functional gastrointestinal disorders and related signs and symptoms in infants: a systematic review protocol.” BMJ open 6.8 (2016): e011475.
- Bellaiche, Marc, et al. « A large‐scale study to describe the prevalence, characteristics and management of functional gastrointestinal disorders in African infants. » Acta Paediatrica (2020).
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