Su1268 Microbiota Profiling in Children With Functional Constipation

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in infants and toddlers by Rome III criteria is unknown. The purpose of the current study was to determine the U.S. prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms suggestive of an infant/toddler FGID as reported by mothers in a representative community sample. METHODS: A national community sample provided by the market research company Cint USA, Inc. consisted of 1,447 mothers of children age 0-18 from all 50 US states who completed an internet survey including Rome III symptom questions, demographics, health history and the pediatric quality of life questionnaire. Of these, 320 provided information about children 0-3 years old and 264 (82.5%) were judged valid (consistent survey answers and no diagnosed disease explaining the GI symptoms). Stratified sampling was used to ensure equal gender proportions, child age distribution and adequate representation of Hispanic and African American children. To avoid biasing the sample, invitations to participate described the study as a general health survey rather than a survey of gastrointestinal symptoms. RESULTS: The children in the sample were 47.7% female, 26.7% Hispanic, 56.8% Caucasian, 12% African American, and 6% Asian; 99.2% lived full time with their mothers. Children were approximately equally divided by age (32% $100,000 (9%). Twenty seven percent of infants/toddlers qualified for at least one FGID by Rome III criteria. All seven infant/toddler FGIDs occurred, with infant regurgitation as the most common disorder (see Table). No race and gender differences were found. Compared to those who did not meet Rome criteria, toddlers with FGID had lower quality of life (M=80.1 vs M=90.3, p<.001). There was a trend for children to qualify for a FGID if their mother also qualified for an FGID (p = .08). A child was also more likely to have hard stools if the parent reported hard stools (p= 0.02) but no such association was found for loose stools. CONCLUSION: This first national survey in the U.S. on infant and toddler FGIDS shows that these disorders are common, can be identified in the general population and reduce quality of life. No gender and race differences were found. More research is needed into these conditions as it may improve the lives of a significant number of young children [Research supported by the Rome foundation]. Percentages of infants/toddlers meeting Rome III criteria by mother's report