Disorders of gut–brain interaction are common diagnoses among infants and toddlers in gastroenterology practices in Latin‐America

Abstract

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the relative frequency and associated factors of disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBIs) in outpatient gastrointestinal (GI) clinics in young children of Latin America.MethodsCross‐sectional study in 10 pediatric GI outpatient clinics (private and public) in five countries of Latin America (El Salvador, México, Colombia, Panamá, and Nicaragua). Parents of patients 1 month 4 years of age from outpatient clinics complete/d a diagnostic questionnaire for DGBIs per Rome IV criteria (QPGS‐IV, Spanish version). We conducted descriptive analysis, two‐sample t‐tests and chi‐square tests, univariate analyses, and logistic regression to evaluate risk factors.ResultsWe collected data from 783 children. In total, 34.5% had a DGBI. Overall, functional constipation (FC) was the most common diagnosis (23.4%) in children of all ages (infants, 16.1%, 1–4‐years‐old, 32.7%). In infants, the second most common DGBI was regurgitation (6.6%) and in 1–4‐years‐old and cyclic vomiting syndrome (4.1%). The diagnosis of a DGBI was significantly associated with a family history of DGBIs (odds ratio [OR] 2.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.61–5.57, p = 0.0001). Patients who identified as black (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.28–3.92, p = 0.0021) or mixed race (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.25–2.48, p = 0.0006) were also significantly associated with a higher likelihood of DGBIs.ConclusionsDGBIs are a common diagnosis in pediatric GI clinics of Latin America. Overall, FC was the most common DGBI.