Child and Parent Perceived Food-Induced Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Quality of Life in Children with Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Abstract

It is unknown whether children with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) identify specific foods that exacerbate their gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. The objectives of this study were to determine the perceived role of food on GI symptoms and to determine the impact of food-induced symptoms on quality of life (QOL) in children with FGIDs. Between August and November 2010, 25 children ages 11–17 years old with FGIDs and a parent completed a food symptom association questionnaire and validated questionnaires assessing FGID symptoms and QOL. In addition, children completed a 24-hour food recall, participated in focus groups to identify problematic foods and any coping strategies, and discussed how their QOL was affected. Statistical analyses were conducted using chi-squared, t-testing, Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon signed-rank, and Spearman’s rho. Children identified a median of 11 (range 2–25) foods as exacerbating a GI symptom, with the most commonly identified foods being spicy foods, cow’s milk, and pizza. Several coping strategies were identified including consuming smaller portions, modifying foods, and avoiding a median of 8 (range 1–20) foods. Children reported that food-induced symptoms interfered with school performance, sports, and social activities. Although the parent’s assessment of their child’s QOL negatively correlated with the number of perceived symptom-inducing foods in their child, this relationship was not found in the children. Findings suggest that specific foods are perceived to exacerbate GI symptoms in children with FGIDs. Moreover, despite use of several coping strategies, food-induced symptoms may adversely impact children’s QOL in several important areas.

Self-Perceived Food Intolerances Are Common and Associated with Clinical Severity in Childhood Irritable Bowel Syndrome

“…11 The food symptom association questionnaire was originally created and initially validated to assess symptoms in children with functional gastrointestinal disorders. 11 This questionnaire was read to the child by a coordinator outside the presence of a caregiver. If a food or food type was identified, the child was asked if he/she avoided eating the identified food.…”

“…A small mixed methods study in children with several functional GI disorders found that self-perceived food intolerances qualitatively negatively impacted several areas of quality of life. 11 Another study in Finnish 10 and 11-year-olds with functional GI disorders found that a majority of parents identified their child as having a food-induced GI symptom. 12 Neither study evaluated the relationship of intolerances to child-reported psychosocial distress and/or GI symptoms.…”

Dietary Carbohydrates and Childhood Functional Abdominal Pain

“…Potential factors include: psychosocial distress (e.g., somatization, anxiety); alterations in the composition and function of the gut microbiome; low-grade gut inflammation; increased gut permeability; visceral hypersensitivity; altered GI motor function, and diet. Diet in particular has generated interest as a culprit given that children with AP-FGIDs often associate symptoms with intake of particular foods [6]. …”

Недостатність Травлення Та Шляхи Його Корекції У Дітей Раннього Віку З Харчовою Непереносимістю

“…Виявлено, що підвищення тиску в порожнині кишечника внаслідок підвищеного газоутворення, особливо при лактазній недостатності, призводить до погіршення відтоку секрету ПЗ та порушення продукції секретину, холецистокініну, панкреози-міну [12,15].…”

“…Досить час-то затяжний або рецидивуючий перебіг гастро-інтестинальних захворювань кишечника у дітей призводить до розвитку недостатності травлення, глибоких метаболічних порушень, затримки фі-зичного та психомоторного розвитку, формування полідефіцитних станів, зниження якості життя ди-тини [15,24]. Функціональні захворювання є пре-диктором формування хронічної патології ШКТ у подальші періоди життя, що визначає необхідність удосконалення методів їх лікування.…”