R. Orel
Klinični oddelek za gastroenterologijo,hepatologijo in nutricionistiko, Pediatrična klinika, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana in Katedra za pediatrijo, Medicinska fakulteta, Ljubljana, Slovenija
Abstract
More than half of infants in the first year of life have at least one, and frequently more than one gastrointestinal symptom that has a significant influence on the quality of life of the child and his family. It is important to know when symptoms like regurgitation, colic or constipation are the consequence of organic illness, which requires wider diagnostic procedures and therapy. However, in most children, the symptoms are the consequence of functional gastrointestinal disorders and the child does not need extensive, unpleasant and expensive diagnostic procedures. In such a case, it is essential to know how to placate the parents and to advise them on techniques to minimize the child‘s problems. These include feeding changes, behavioural changes, the use of probiotics and prebiotics, and rarely, such as in the case of constipation, the use of specific drugs. In the article, we present the recommendations and guidelines of the Gastrointestinal Committee of the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, based on a systematic review of published studies from that field. They are designed mainly for primary care paediatricians.
Key words: regurgitation, colic, constipation, infant.
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