Functional Gastrointestinal Diseases (FGIDs) in children: An emerging global health problem

Abstract

Functional gastrointestinal diseases are a group of disorders characterized by chronic recurrent symptoms such as abdominal pain, altered defecation, nausea and vomiting and other subtle alteration of gastrointestinal function. These diseases are highly prevalent across the world both in developed and developing countries. The biopsychosocial risk factors like psychological stress, poor dietary habits, obesity and child maltreatment are commonly identified predisposing factors for FGDs. FGDs poses a significant healthcare burden on already overstretched health budgets of many countries in terms of outpatient care, in patient care, expenditure for investigations and prescriptions. The complications are common and range from minor psychological disturbances, to lower health related quality of life. Functional constipation in children also has a significant impact on families. Many clinical trials have poor methodological qualities in paediatric practice and drugs proved to be useful in adults are not shown to be effective in relieving symptoms of children. A significant proportion of inadequately treated children grow up to become adults with similar symptoms. All these factors show that constipation is a potentially growing public health problem across the world with a significant medical, social and economic impact. However it is possible to prevent FC by using simple but strategic measures.