Functional gastrointestinal disorders in infants: Practice, knowledge and needs of Australian pharmacists

Abstract

Aim: To determine the nature and extent of interactions between retail pharmacists and families of infants concerned about functional gastrointestinal disorders. Methods: A 15-question online survey was developed that could be completed by retail pharmacists in approximately 5 min. This survey aimed to obtain information relating to the frequency of interactions with parents of infants seeking advice and/or information about colic, gastrooesophageal reflux (GOR) or constipation in pharmacies; what recommendations and/or advice was given by the pharmacists; from where the pharmacists obtained their information and what guidelines/recommendations they would value; and demographic information. Results: A total of 362 pharmacists from every state and territory within Australia completed the survey. Conversations with parents/carers about constipation at least once a week were reported by 85% of pharmacists, with the equivalent percentages for GOR and colic both being 76%. In the case of constipation, medication was recommended in 70% of cases, and a nutritional approach was recommended in 67% of cases. Medication was recommended in 81% of cases of suspected colic, significantly greater than nutritional advice at 50%. For possible GOR, recommendations were similar, with medication being suggested in 66% and nutritional advice in 68%. GOR guidelines were the most sought after, with 42% of pharmacists placing such guidelines as their number one need. Conclusions: This survey indicates the need for greater emphasis to be given to reassurance by health-care professionals involved in the management of functional gastrointestinal disorders in infancy, as well as consideration of the construction of easily accessible, evidence-based national guidelines.

A Scoping Review of Non-Pharmacological Health Education Provided to Families of Children With Idiopathic Childhood Constipation Within Primary Health Care

“…The 12 studies listed in Table 1 were published between 2003 and 2021 with 67% (n = 8) being published in the last 10 years. Two studies were conducted in the United Kingdom (UK), 36 , 39 3 in the United States of America (USA), 38 , 41 , 43 one study each was conducted in Canada, 37 Italy, 35 Indonesia, 45 Iran, 44 and Australia 16 ; one 40 was conducted across 3 countries; and one 42 was conducted across 9 countries within Europe.…”

“…Two studies were qualitative, 36 , 37 and 10 were quantitative. 16 , 35 , 38 - 45 All but one study 38 used author-developed data collection tools. Four studies 35 , 41 , 44 , 45 cite 1 guideline, and 3 40 , 42 , 43 cite 2 guidelines.…”

“…Five studies do not cite evidence-based guidelines, 16 , 36 - 39 and one 40 makes reference to both the NASPGHAN and NICE guidelines through 2 citations 46 , 47 respectively. The remaining 6 studies specifically cite evidence-based guidelines that is, NASPGHAN and/or ESPGHAN, 41 , 43 , 45 and Rome II and/or Rome III.…”

Comparison of common interventions for the treatment of infantile colic: a systematic review of reviews and guidelines

“…Interestingly, the guidance and the evidence do not reflect each other; this may be due to the timing of published evidence and guideline development. The lack of consistent guidance available for parents, pharmacists and clinicians compounds the uncertainty relating to the care of infants with the symptoms of colic 49…”

Minimal Gastrointestinal Disorders in Infants: When It Is Too Early to Treat

“…Вне зависимости от выраженности симптомов пищеварительного дискомфорта -от минимальных расстройств пищеварения, когда, с медицинской точки зрения, оснований для активной медикаментозной терапии еще нет, до выраженных проявлений симптомов функциональных расстройств пищеварения (ФРП) -их коррекция нередко сопровождается неоправданной сменой детской молочной смеси, назначением медикаментозного и/или немедикаментозного лечения [8]. Нередко родители обращаются за консультацией к фармацевтам и провизорам, получая при этом самые различные рекомендации, не всегда обоснованные с точки зрения доказательной медицины [9]. Назначаемые по поводу ФРП лекарственные препараты зачастую не только не эффективны в коррекции симптомов функциональных расстройств, но могут вызывать побочные реакции, еще больше усугубляя тревожность родителей.…”