Functional gastrointestinal (GI) and motility disorders in kids and teens include a variety of digestive disorders that occur in children from birth to age 18. The disorders may interfere with daily activities and quality of life. Symptoms may include pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, problems in the passage of food or feces, or a combination of symptoms.
Some of these disorders are rare and others quite common. Functional GI disorders may account for at least 40–50% of visits to a pediatric gastroenterologist, with abdominal pain being a common symptom among these disorders.
In the U.S. about 200 new cases of intestinal pseudo-obstruction are diagnosed in children each year. Hirschsprung’s disease occurs in about 1 out of every 5,000 live births.
Other GI disorders are much more common. Constipation and/or encopresis account for approximately 10–25% of children who are referred to a pediatric gastroenterologist.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is also common in children and teens. Its occurence is similar to that seen in adults. Symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of IBS were reported in 17% of high school students and 8% of middle school students.
Three other common functional GI disorders—infant regurgitation, functional fecal retention, and functional dyspepsia (recurrent abdominal pain)—each affect about 10% of the pediatric population.
Both genetics and early life experiences can influence a person’s susceptibility to functional GI disorders later in life. The brain and nervous system continue to develop throughout childhood, and early life experiences can affect this development. Identifying and treating GI disorders early may help reduce symptoms, improve quality of life, and potentially lower the risk or severity of functional GI disorders later in life.
However, much remains to be learned about functional GI and motility disorders in children. More research is urgently needed to better understand why these disorders develop, how they affect children and teens, and which treatments are most effective.
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References
Caplan A, Rasquin A. What’s New in Pediatric Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. IFFGD publication #824.
Hyams JS, Burke G, Davis PM, Rzepski B, Andrulonis PA. Abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome in adolescents: a community-based study. J Pediatr. 1996 Aug;129(2):220-226.