The Saudi Journal of Gastroenterology (Dec 2023)

Prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders in Saudi infants and toddlers: A cross-sectional multicenter study

  • Mohammed Hasosah,
  • Ahmed Al Sarkhy,
  • Khalid AlQuiar,
  • Ibrahim AlMuslami,
  • Najat AlAhmadi,
  • Ali Almehaidib,
  • Adel AlShahrani,
  • Aziz Alanazi,
  • Muhammad Khan,
  • Abrar Aljohani,
  • Saqqar Alanazi,
  • Tariq Alhassan,
  • Ahlam AlNaqeeb,
  • Marwah Hameedaldeen,
  • Sanabil Albalawi,
  • Safa Abdulmenem,
  • Ibrahim Almehaidib,
  • Mansour Qurashi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/sjg.sjg_259_23
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 30, no. 3
pp. 145 – 153

Abstract

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Background: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are common pediatric problems, but their prevalence in Saudi Arabia is unknown. We aimed to assess the prevalence of FGIDs and risk factors among children in six regions of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional multicenter study enrolling children aged 0–48 months, attending pediatric clinics. Questionnaires evaluated the clinical history, symptoms, and sociodemographic information. FGIDs were defined according to Rome IV criteria. Results: The study involved 1011 infants and toddlers (mean [standard deviation (SD)] aged, 21.7 [19.4] months; FGIDs and mean [SD] age 17.4 [16.4] months; controls). FGIDs were diagnosed in 483 (47.7%) of all infants and toddlers. The prevalence of FGIDs was significantly higher in children aged 0–12 months than in those aged 13–48 months (P < 0.001). The most common disorders were functional regurgitation (13.8%) in infants and functional constipation (9.6%) in toddlers. Univariate regression analysis confirmed that the rate of FGIDs was higher in term gestational age infants (odds ratio (OR) 2.7; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.76–4.17, P < 0.001), in partial breastfeeding (OR 0.58; 95% CI, 0.40–0.84, P = 0.003), in formula feeding (OR 2.25; 95% CI, 1.51–3.35, P < 0.001), and in subjects with no history of food allergy (OR 2.40; 95% CI, 1.58–3.64, P < 0.001). Conclusions: FGIDs are common in Saudi infants and toddlers (47.7%). Regurgitation is most prevalent in infants, and functional constipation is most common in toddlers. Term gestational age infant, partial breastfeeding, formula feeding, and subjects with no history of food allergy are associated with the prevalence of FGIDs.

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