Premium
A large‐scale study to describe the prevalence, characteristics and management of functional gastrointestinal disorders in African infants
Author(s) -
Bellaiche Marc,
Ategbo Simon,
Krumholz Fanny,
Ludwig Thomas,
Miqdady Mohamad,
Abkari Abdelhak,
Vandenplas Yvan
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.15248
Subject(s) - medicine , bloating , functional constipation , medical prescription , quality of life (healthcare) , pediatrics , constipation , anxiety , observational study , irritable bowel syndrome , infantile colic , functional gastrointestinal disorder , regurgitation (circulation) , psychiatry , abdominal pain , crying , nursing , pharmacology
Aim To evaluate the pattern, impact on quality of life and management of common functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) and related signs and symptoms in infants below 1 year of age in Africa. Methods Multicentre, cross‐sectional, observational study in 10 African countries. At the first paediatric consultation of children with gastrointestinal symptoms, the perception of paediatricians on FGIDs (infant colic, constipation and regurgitation) and gas/bloating, impact on infant quality of life and parental anxiety and patient management practices were evaluated by standardised questionnaires. Results Questionnaires were completed by 759 paediatricians for 10 812 infants. Overall, 49.9% of paediatricians reported ≥30% of first infant consultations each month for FGIDs or related symptoms. Infant colic was most commonly diagnosed (57.6% of infants), followed by gas/bloating (43.2%), regurgitation (39.7%) and constipation (31.4%). Overall, 53% presented >1 symptom. Mean scores for infant quality of life, sleep and parental anxiety were worse when children had multiple symptoms compared to children with a single symptom ( P < .025). Prescription of medication was common (62.4%). There were no consistent differences between countries. Conclusion Functional gastrointestinal disorder occurrence in Africa was high with a gap between expert recommendation that emphasises parental reassurance and nutritional advice and daily practice, particularly prescription of medication.