Whitfield KL, Shulman RJ. Treatment options for functional gastrointestinal disorders: from empiric to complementary approaches. Pediatr Ann 2009 May;38(5):288-290, 292-294. (Review)
http://www.pediatricsupersite.com/view.aspx?rid=39349
http://www.pediatricsupersite.com/showPdf.aspx?rid=39349
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Abstract:
Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) remain a common problem in the pediatric age group. These conditions were first recognized by Apley in 1958 when he coined the earlier term 'recurrent abdominal pain' (RAP) for a group of children with recurrent or persistent abdominal pain that interfered with functional daily living and had no evident organic etiology. Community-based studies from around the world demonstrate that 10% to 46% of all children meet the criteria for RAP. As FGIDs continue to cause emotional and financial burdens on affected families, efforts are being made to better categorize FGIDs as a symptom-based diagnosis, understand their pathophysiology, and investigate effective treatment options.