Unraveling the complexity of Disorders of the Gut-Brain Interaction: the gut microbiota connection in children.

"Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBIs)," formerly referred to as "Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGIDs)," encompass a prevalent array of chronic or recurring gastrointestinal symptoms that notably impact the quality of life for affected children and their families. Recent studies have elucidated the intricate pathophysiology of DGBIs, underscoring their correlation with gut microbiota. This review seeks to explore the present comprehension of the gut microbiota's role in DGBI development. While other factors can contribute to DGBIs, the gut microbiota prominently influences the onset and progression of these conditions. According to the Rome IV diagnostic criteria, DGBI prevalence is approximately 40% worldwide. The Rome Foundation has diligently worked for nearly three decades to refine our comprehension of DGBIs. By centering on the gut microbiota, this review sheds light on potential therapeutic interventions for DGBIs, potentially enhancing the quality of life for pediatric patients and their families.

Superposición de desórdenes gastrointestinales funcionales en escolares y adolescentes latinoamericanos / Overlapping of functional gastrointestinal disorders in latinamerican schoolchildren and adolescents

Resumen: Introducción: Hay pocos estudios sobre Desórdenes Gastrointestinales Funcionales superpuestos (DGFs-s). Objetivo: Describir la prevalencia y posibles factores de riesgo en niños Latinoamericanos (Latam) para presentar DGFs-s. Pacientes y Método: Estudio de prevalencia en niños escolares La tam entre 8-18 años. Se incluyeron variables sociodemográficas; se utilizaron los Criterios de Roma III en español, y se consideró DGFs-s cuando se presentaron 2, 3 o 4 y más DGFs en un mismo niño. El análisis estadístico incluyó t de student, chi cuadrado, prueba exacta de Fisher, análisis uni y multivariados y cálculo de los ORs e IC95%, siendo considerada una p < 0,05 significativa. Resul tados: Fueron analizados 6193 niños Latam (11,8 ± 2,2 años; 62,2% entre 8-12 años; 50,4% niñas; 68,0% colegio público), con diagnóstico de algún DGFs del 23,4%. Hubo superposición de DGFs en un mismo niño, en 8,4% (5,5% con 2 DGFs; 2,1% con 3 DGFs y 0,9% con 4 o más DGFs), siendo las principales superposiciones el Síndrome de intestino irritable (SII) + Dolor abdominal funcio nal (DAF) (2,6%) y el SII + DAF + Estreñimiento funcional (1,1%). Hubo predomino del género femenino. Conclusión: Hay una baja prevalencia de DGFs-s en escolares y adolescentes Latam, con predominio en el sexo femenino y de presentación muy variable.

Abstract: Introduction: There are few studies on overlapping Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGIDs). Objective: To describe the prevalence and possible risk factors in Latin American children (Latam) to present overlapping FGIDs. Patients and Method: Prevalence study in Latam schoolchildren bet ween 8-18 years of age. Sociodemographic variables were included; the Rome III Criteria in Spanish were used, and overlapping FGIDs were considered when two, three or four and more FGIDs were presented in the same child. The statistical analysis included Student's T-test, chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, univariate and multivariate analysis, and calculation of ORs and 95% CI, being considered a significant p < 0.05. Results: 6,193 Latam children were analyzed (11.8 ± 2.2 years, 62.2% between 8-12 years of age, 50.4% girls, 68.0% public school), and 23.4% with a diagnosis of some kind of FGIDs. There was overlap of FGIDs in the same child, in 8.4% (5.5% with 2 FGIDs, 2.1% with 3 FGIDs and 0.9% with 4 or more FGIDs), the main overlaps were irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) + functional abdominal pain (FAP) (2.6%), and IBS + FAP + functional constipation (1.1%). There was predominance of the female gender. Conclusion: There is a low prevalence of overlapping FGIDs in Latam schoolchildren and adolescents, with a predominance in females and of very variable pre sentation.

[Irritable bowel syndrome subtypes and characteristics in children from Panama, Ecuador,El Salvador, Nicaragua and Mexico]. / Caracterización y subtipos del síndrome de intestino irritable en niños de Panamá, Ecuador, El Salvador, Nicaragua y México.

INTRODUCTION: Few pediatric studies classify the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) subtypes. OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics and subtypes of IBS in children from Panama, Ecuador, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prevalence study performed in children between 8 and 18 years of age with a diagnosis of IBS. The children answered the Questionnaire for Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms Roma III for Schoolchildren and Adolescents (QPGS-III) to identify functional gastrointestinal disorders. Variables such as age and sex were taken into account. The subtypes of IBS were classified in IBS with constipation (IBS-c), with diarrhea (IBS-d), mixed (IBS-m) and without subtype (IBS-ss). Statistical analysis included measures of central tendency, two-tailed student t-test, chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test, with a significant p<0.05. RESULTS: We included 79 children (54.4% female, 12.1±2.1 years) presenting IBS-ss in 55.7%, IBS-c in 15.2%, IBS-m in 15.2% and SII-d in 13.9%. Severe pain predominated most of the day and with mucous stools; possible associations for IBS-d school and sex. CONCLUSION: After IBS-ss, the IBS-e, IBS-d and IBS-m are similar, being the possible risk factors for IBS-d, the public school and the female gender.

Caracterización y subtipos del síndrome de intestino irritable en niños de Panamá, Ecuador, El Salvador, Nicaragua y México / Irritable bowel syndrome subtypes and characteristics in children from Panama, Ecuador, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Mexico

Introducción: Pocos estudios pediátricos clasifican los subtipos del síndrome de intestino irritable (SII). Objetivo: Describir las características y subtipos del SII en niños de Panamá, Ecuador, El Salvador, Nicaragua y México. Material y métodos: Estudio de prevalencia realizado en niños entre los 8 y 18 años de edad con diagnóstico de SII. Los niños respondieron el Cuestionario para Síntomas Gastrointestinales Pediátricos Roma III para Escolares y Adolescentes (QPGS-III) para identificar desordenes gastrointestinales funcionales (DGFs). Se tuvieron en cuenta variables como edad y sexo. Los subtipos de SII se clasificaron en SII con estreñimiento (SII-e), con diarrea (SII-d), mixto (SII-m) y sin subtipo (SII-ss). El análisis estadístico incluyó medidas de tendencia central, t-student a dos colas, chi cuadrado, y prueba exacta de Fisher, siendo una p<0,05 significativa. Resultados: Fueron incluidos 79 niños (54,4% femeninos; 12,1±2,1 años) presentándose SII-ss en 55,7%, SII-e en 15,2%, SII-m en 15,2% y SII-d en13,9%. Predominó el dolor severo la mayor parte del día y con heces mucosas; siendo posibles asociaciones para SII-d el colegio y el sexo. Conclusión: Luego del SII-ss, los SII-e, SII-d y SII-m son similares, siendo los posibles factores de riesgo para SII-d, el colegio público y el género femenino

Introduction: Few pediatric studies classify the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) subtypes. Objective: To describe the characteristics and subtypes of IBS in children from Panama, Ecuador, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Mexico. Material and methods: Prevalence study performed in children between 8 and 18 years of age with a diagnosis of IBS. The children answered the Questionnaire for Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms Roma III for Schoolchildren and Adolescents (QPGS-III) to identify functional gastrointestinal disorders. Variables such as age and sex were taken into account. The subtypes of IBS were classified in IBS with constipation (IBS-c), with diarrhea (IBS-d), mixed (IBS-m) and without subtype (IBS-ss). Statistical analysis included measures of central tendency, two-tailed student t-test, chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test, with a significant p<0.05. Results: We included 79 children (54.4% female, 12.1±2.1 years) presenting IBS-ss in 55.7%, IBS-c in 15.2%, IBS-m in 15.2% and SII-d in 13.9%. Severe pain predominated most of the day and with mucous stools; possible associations for IBS-d school and sex. Conclusion: After IBS-ss, the IBS-e, IBS-d and IBS-m are similar, being the possible risk factors for IBS-d, the public school and the female gender

[Overlapping of functional gastrointestinal disorders in latinamerican schoolchildren and adolescents]. / Superposición de desórdenes gastrointestinales funcionales en escolares y adolescentes latinoamericanos.

INTRODUCTION: There are few studies on overlapping Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGIDs). OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence and possible risk factors in Latin American children (Latam) to present overlapping FGIDs. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Prevalence study in Latam schoolchildren bet ween 8-18 years of age. Sociodemographic variables were included; the Rome III Criteria in Spanish were used, and overlapping FGIDs were considered when two, three or four and more FGIDs were presented in the same child. The statistical analysis included Student's T-test, chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, univariate and multivariate analysis, and calculation of ORs and 95% CI, being considered a significant p < 0.05. RESULTS: 6,193 Latam children were analyzed (11.8 ± 2.2 years, 62.2% between 8-12 years of age, 50.4% girls, 68.0% public school), and 23.4% with a diagnosis of some kind of FGIDs. There was overlap of FGIDs in the same child, in 8.4% (5.5% with 2 FGIDs, 2.1% with 3 FGIDs and 0.9% with 4 or more FGIDs), the main overlaps were irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) + functional abdominal pain (FAP) (2.6%), and IBS + FAP + functional constipation (1.1%). There was predominance of the female gender. CONCLUSION: There is a low prevalence of overlapping FGIDs in Latam schoolchildren and adolescents, with a predominance in females and of very variable pre sentation.

Estudio multicéntrico sobre la epidemiologia de la Esofagitis Eosinofílica Pediátrica en América Latina / Multicenter study on the epidemiology of pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis in latinamerica

Objetivo: Evaluar las características epidemiológicas de un grupo de pacientes pediátricos con esofagitis eosinofílica (EEo) y las modalidades de tratamiento empleadas en Latinoamérica. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio multicéntrico, observacional, transversal. Se aplicó una encuesta a 36 Centros de Gastroenterología y Endoscopia Pediátrica de 10 países latinoamericanos con la finalidad de obtener información socio-demográfica y datos sobre el tratamiento utilizado para el manejo de los casos evaluados durante el periodo 2014-2016. Resultados: 372 casos de EEo pediátrica fueron evaluados durante el periodo 2014-2016 y 108 casos (29%) correspondieron al trimestre Abril-Junio 2016. 46,72% de los casos pertenecían al grupo de edad escolar y 71,8% consultaron por disfagia. 87,2% de los pacientes fueron manejados con dieta, 55,3% esteroides deglutidos (12,8% en monoterapia) y 6% recibió montelukast. No hubo reporte de pacientes en terapia con agentes biológicos. Conclusiones: los resultados sugieren un predominio del sexo masculino con una mayor incidencia de la enfermedad en la edad escolar y la adolescencia. Las manifestaciones clínicas más frecuentes son disfagia, vómitos y síntomas de reflujo gastroesofágico. El tratamiento más indicado por los especialistas en América Latina es la dieta seguido del uso de esteroides deglutidos. Los IBP también son ampliamente utilizados como terapia coadyuvante. Un estudio de prevalencia a nivel continental es necesario para evaluar el comportamiento de la enfermedad en diferentes regiones de América Latina.

Aims: To evaluate epidemiological features of pediatric patients with eosinophilic esophagitis in Latinamerica and therapeutical options indicated by pediatric gastroenterologists in our continent. Patients and methods: multicenter, observational, transversal study. 36 Centers of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Endoscopy from 10 latinamerican countries participated giving clinical and sociodemographic information about pediatric patients with EoE diagnosed and treated during the last two years (study period). Results: 372 cases of pediatric EoE were evaluated during period 2014-2016 (108 cases were evaluated during trimester April-June 2016). 46,72% of cases were school age children, with dysphagia been the main clinical symptom in 71,8% of patients. 87,2% of patients received diet as a main indication of treatment, 55,3% received swallowed steroids (12,8% as monotherapy) and 6% were treated with montelukast among others. There were no reports of patients under treatment with biological drugs. Conclusions: epidemiological features of our study group suggest a higher prevalence of pediatric EoE in male school age children and adolescents. Most frecuent clinical symptoms are dysphagia, vomiting and gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. Treatment is based mainly on diet and swallowed steroids. A continental prevalence study is necessary to evaluate the behavior of the disease in different regions of Latinamerica.

High Prevalence of Nausea among School Children in Latin America.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of nausea and its association with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in a large-scale, population-based study of Latin American school children. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional study collected data from children in 3 Latin American countries. A Spanish version of the Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms-Rome III Version (QPGS-III) was administered to school children in Central and South America. Subjects were classified into FGIDs based on Rome criteria (QPGS-III). Students from 4 public and 4 private schools in the countries of El Salvador, Panama, and Ecuador participated in this epidemiologic study. RESULTS: A total of 1137 school children with mean age 11.5 (SD 1.9, range 8-15) years completed the QPGS-III (El Salvador n = 399; Panama n = 321; Ecuador n = 417). Nausea was present in 15.9% of all school children. Two hundred sixty-eight (24%) children met criteria for at least 1 FGID. Nausea was significantly more common in children with FGIDs compared with those without: El Salvador 38% vs 15% (P < .001); Panama 22% vs 7% (P < .001); Ecuador 25% vs 13% (P = .004). Among children with FGIDs, those with functional constipation had a high prevalence of nausea. Nausea was significantly more common in girls and children attending private schools. CONCLUSIONS: Nausea is commonly present in Latin American school children. FGIDs are frequently associated with nausea.

The use of probiotics in pediatric gastroenterology: a review of the literature and recommendations by Latin-American experts.

OBJECTIVE: The stability and composition of intestinal flora plays a vital role in human wellbeing throughout life from as early as birth. Over the past 50 years, several studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of probiotic administration in pediatric gastroenterology. This document aims to provide a recommendation score on probiotic utilization in pediatric gastroenterology, together with a review of current knowledge concerning its benefits, tolerability, and safety. STUDY DESIGN: Published literature was selected without study design restriction: clinical guidelines, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, outcomes research and case-controlled studies were selected using the following MESH-validated terms: probiotics, diarrhea, acute diarrhea, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, traveler's diarrhea, bacterial diarrhea, nosocomial diarrhea, prophylactic diarrhea, Helicobacter pylori infection, colic, infantile colic, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), inflammatory bowel disease, constipation, and allergy. Once the validity and the quality of results were evaluated, a recommendation score and level of evidence were assigned for pediatric gastrointestinal-related conditions, according to the updated Evidence-Based Medicine guidelines: 1a for systematic review (SR) of RCTs, 1b for individual RCT, 1c for SR and individual RCT, 2a for SR of cohort studies, 2b for individual cohort studies, 2c for outcomes research, and 3a for SR of case-control studies. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The Latin American Expert group consensus recommends the use of the following probiotics for pediatric gastrointestinal conditions: prevention of acute infectious diarrhea (AID): 1b for Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), and L. reuteri; prevention of nosocomial diarrhea: 1 b for B. lactis Bb12, B. bifidum, LGG and Streptococcus thermophiles; treatment of AID: 1a for LGG and S. boulardii, 1b for L. reuteri; prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea: 1b for LGG and S. boulardii; prevention of traveler's diarrhea: 1b for S. boulardii; prevention of infantile colic: 1a for L. reuteri DSM 17938; treatment of infantile colic: 1b for L. reuteri DSM 17938; prevention of NEC: 1a for B. breve, mixtures of Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus, LGG, L. acidophilus and L. reuteri DSM 17938; induction and maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis: 1b for VSL#3; improving symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome: 2c for LGG and VSL#3.

Diagnóstico y tratamiento de la esofagitis eosinofílica en niños. Revisión de la literatura y recomendaciones basadas en la evidencia. Grupo de trabajo de la Sociedad Latinoamericana de Gastroenterología, Hepatología y Nutrición pediátrica (SLAGHNP).

During the last twenty years Eosinophilic Esophagitis has become one the most important causes of esophageal disfunction in children, food impactation in adolescents and young adults, therapeutic failure in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and the most frecuent eosinophilic disease of the gastrointestinal tract. We present recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease based in a systematic review of the literature.

Bajo peso al nacer y desnutrición / Low birth weight and malnutrition

Bajo peso al nacer ha sido definido por la OMS como el peso al nacimiento menor de 2500 gramos. Los lactantes que nacen con bajo peso al nacer sufren de incidencia alta de morbilidad y mortalidad de enfermedades infecciosas y éstos tienen características típicas de desnutrición, pobre masa muscular, baja talla, en el periodo neonatal. Está asociado a alta mortalidad y morbilidad fetal y neonatal, dando como consecuencias un crecimiento retardado, un retraso o afectación del desarrollo cognitivo y enfermedades crónicas en la etapa de adulto. El periodo de crecimiento intrauterino y el desarrollo es de los factores que hacen más vulnerable el ciclo de vida del ser humano.

Low birth weight has been defined by WHO as a birth wieght less than 2500 grams. Infants born with lowbirth weight suffer from high incidence of morbidity and mortality of infectious diseases and these are typical features of malnutrition, poor muscle mass, low height, in ghe neonatal period. Is associated with high mortality and fetal and neonatal morbidity, leading to retarded growth consequences, delayed or impaired cognitive development and chronic diseases in the adult stage. The period of intrauterine growth and development is one of the factors that make it vulnerable life cycle of human beings.

Perspectivas de la diarrea por rotavirus en El Salvador / Diarrhea perspectives by rotavirus in El Salvador

Materiales y métodos: En diciembre del año 2000, un brote epidémico de gastroenteritis ocurrió en El Salvador que se asoció con numerosas hospitalizaciones y muertes de niños en todo el país. El Ministerio de Salud Pública se mostró preocupado, pues se ignoraba su etiología y las medidas de control usuales fueron ineficaces. El brote lo produjo un rotavirus, y las medidas de control fueron rediseñadas para mejorar el tratamiento con rehidratación oral e iniciar un sistema de vigilancia para conocer los agentes etiológicos de la gastroenteritis. Se colectaron datos clínicos, demográficos y también muestras de heces en niños menores de 5 años que presentaron gastroenteritis aguda. A las muestras de heces se les realizó exámenes para determinar la presencia de rotavirus, parásitos y bacterias. El sistema revigilancia se extrapoló con los datos nacionales para estimar el impacto nacional de la enfermedad por rotavirus.Resultados: La vigilancia epidemiológica entre mayo 2001 y abril 2002 demostró que el rotavirus tuvo predominio en la estación de invierno, y se asoció con la presencia de vómitos que se informaron en 27/100 de 12,083 consultas por diarrea. Los niños con gastroenteritis por rotavirus eran lactantes con un promedio de edad de 9 meses en comparación con las diarreas causadas por otros agentes (13 meses para bacterias y 16 meses para parásitos). Al extrapolar los datos nacionales, se estimó que el riesgo de un niño que consultaba por diarrea por rotavirus, que se hospitalizaba, y riesgo de muerte antes de los 5 años fue 1:7, 1:56, y 1:531, respectivamente. Conclusiones: El brote de gastroenteritis en niños menores de 5 años entre diciembre 2000 y febrero 2001 representó un exagerado predominio estacional de la infección por rotavirus. La actividad de vigilancia epidemiológica después del brote sugiere que el rotavirus es la causa mas frecuente de diarrea en El Salvador. Un seguimiento en la vigilancia puede aportar una base importante para mejorar la atención de la gastroenteritis en un brote epidémico y puede proporcionar datos necesarios para decidir el comienzo de la vacunación rutinaria en el programa nacional de inmunizaciones de El Salvador