Functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs) are among the most common reasons for children and paediatric gastrointestinal consultations. The Rome IV standards urge celiac disease (CD) testing in children with irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea (IBS-D) but leave testing for other FAPDs to the practitioner’s discretion. These recommendations were based on a single study in Italy that found a fourfold increase in CD among IBS patients. It’s uncertain whether these findings can be generalised to other populations. Understanding whether those results can be replicated in regions with varied racial/ethnic backgrounds can help to improve patient treatment. The University of Miami analysed the charts of all paediatric patients who sought treatment for FAPDs. Each child’s demographics, diagnosis, and CD tests were examined.
One hundred and eighty-one children with FAPDs and celiac disease were examined. Girls make up 61.34 percent of the population, with a mean age of 12.89 years. 84 were diagnosed with IBS, and 97 were diagnosed with other FAPD. Positive CD serological tests and EGD confirmation were found in one of 181 children with FAPDs. According to our findings, the prevalence of CD in children with FAPDs is comparable to the general population. This study calls into question the value of screening all children with FAPDS for CD. To confirm our findings, larger sample size studies with a diverse racial/ethnic makeup should be conducted.
