A Narrative Review on the Update in the Prevalence of Infantile Colic, Regurgitation, and Constipation in Young Children: Implications of the ROME IV Criteria

Regurgitation, colic, and constipation are frequently reported Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGIDs) in the first few years of life. In 2016, the diagnostic criteria for FGIDs were changed from ROME III to ROME IV. This review assesses the prevalence of the most frequent FGIDs (colic, regurgitation and constipation) among children aged 0–5 years after the introduction of the later criteria. Articles published from January 1, 2016 to May 1, 2021 were retrieved from PubMed and Google Scholar using relevant keywords. A total of 12 articles were further analyzed based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. This review consists of two studies (17%) from the Middle East, three (25%) from Asia, two (17%) from the USA, three (25%) from Europe, and one (8%) from Africa. Three studies (25%) were based on data obtained from healthcare professionals, while the rest were parent or caregiver reports. About half of the retrieved studies used the ROME IV criteria. Among infants aged 0–6 months, the reported prevalence of colic ranged between 10–15%, whilst that of regurgitation was 33.9%, and constipation was 1.5%. Among infants aged 0–12 months, the reported prevalence of regurgitation and constipation were 3.4–25.9% and 1.3–17.7%, respectively. The reported prevalence of constipation was 1.3–26% among children aged 13–48 months and 13% among children aged 4–18 years. Despite the large variations due to differences in diagnostic criteria, study respondents and age group, the prevalence of infantile colic was higher, while that for infantile regurgitation and constipation were similar using the ROME IV or III criteria.

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Functional gastrointestinal disorders in children: agreement between Rome III and Rome IV diagnoses

European Journal of Pediatrics ◽

10.1007/s00431-021-04013-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Desiree F. Baaleman ◽

Carlos A. Velasco-Benítez ◽

Laura M. Méndez-Guzmán ◽

Marc A. Benninga ◽

Miguel Saps

Keyword(s):

Diagnostic Criteria ◽

Functional Dyspepsia ◽

Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders ◽

Functional Constipation ◽

Final Analysis ◽

Gastrointestinal Disorders ◽

Rome Iii ◽

Sample Characteristics ◽

Irritable Bowel ◽

Rome Iv

AbstractTo evaluate the agreement between the Rome III and Rome IV criteria in diagnosing pediatric functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), we conducted a prospective cohort study in a public school in Cali, Colombia. Children and adolescents between 11 and 18 years of age were given the Spanish version of the Questionnaire on Pediatric Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders Rome III version on day 0 and Rome IV version on day 2 (48 h later). The study protocol was completed by 135 children. Thirty-nine (28.9%) children were excluded because of not following the instructions of the questionnaire. The final analysis included data of 96 children (mean 15.2 years old, SD ± 1.7, 54% girls). Less children fulfilled the criteria for an FGID according to Rome IV compared to Rome III (40.6% vs 29.2%, p=0.063) resulting in a minimal agreement between the two criteria in diagnosing an FGID (kappa 0.34, agreement of 70%). The prevalence of functional constipation according to Rome IV was significantly lower compared to Rome III (13.5% vs 31.3%, p<0.001), whereas functional dyspepsia had a higher prevalence according to Rome IV than Rome III (11.5% vs 0%).Conclusion: We found an overall minimal agreement in diagnosing FGIDs according to Rome III and Rome IV criteria. This may be partly explained by the differences in diagnostic criteria. However, limitations with the use of questionnaires to measure prevalence have to be taken into account. What is Known:• The Rome IV criteria replaced the previous Rome III criteria providing updated criteria to diagnose functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs).• Differences found between Rome IV and historic Rome III FGID prevalence may have been affected by changes in prevalence over time or differences in sample characteristics. What is New:• We found a minimal agreement between Rome III and Rome IV FGID diagnosis, especially in the diagnoses of functional constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and functional dyspepsia.• The minimal agreement may be partly explained by changes in diagnostic criteria, but limitations with the use of questionnaires to measure prevalence have to be taken into account.

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