Digestive Disorders In Children
As much as we would like to see children healthy all the time, this is a bit difficult. Indeed, there are many digestive disorders in children and in the vast majority of cases the symptomatology is more or less the same.
Therefore, the diagnosis can be difficult in some cases. So going to a specialist early is the best way to avoid unpleasant situations in the future. That’s why we explain below some of the most common conditions that we can encounter in hospitals. Keep reading!
Are Digestive Disorders Common in Children?
In both adults and children, digestive disorders are quite common. Think of the number of organs we are talking about: mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, anus… And that’s not even counting the associated glands! This includes, for example, the lymph nodes and the pancreas.
It makes sense, then, to think that any change in these organs is a digestive disorder. The physician responsible for diagnosing and treating these diseases is a gastroenterologist or MDL physician, and in cases where surgical resolution is required, general surgeons are the ones trained to perform it.
All of these conditions have different symptoms, including abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and yellowing of the skin (jaundice). In Spain alone, an estimated 400,000 cases of diarrhea occur in children each year.
Some of the Digestive Disorders in Children
Most of the conditions that we will mention below correspond to medical diseases, while only one – appendicitis – has a surgical solution. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Gastroenteritis, One of the Most Common Digestive Disorders
As the name implies, this disease corresponds to the inflammation of the stomach and part of the small intestine. It usually occurs as a result of viral infections or food poisoning. From a clinical point of view, abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting may occur.
Fortunately, it is usually a self-limiting condition. This means that it tends to resolve itself spontaneously within a few days. However, treatment is still necessary. It is important to ensure constant hydration and nutrients to avoid complications.
2. Appendicitis
Appendicitis is one of the most common diseases on this list! It is the operable disease of the digestive system par excellence. It is the progressive inflammation of the vermiform appendix. This is located in the cecum (the last part of the small intestine), very close to the beginning of the ascending colon.
The symptoms that children with appendicitis may have, as well as adults, are lower right abdominal pain (known as right iliac fossa), fever, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
The solution is a quick surgical procedure. The longer it takes to remove the appendix, the greater the risk of complications, such as tissue perforation and the development of peritonitis.
3. Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by gluten intolerance. This protein is found in common foods such as wheat, barley and rye. It can cause severe inflammatory reactions in the digestive tract even in small amounts.
Over time, especially during childhood when there is no precise diagnosis, the deterioration of the most superficial layer of the gut can lead to the appearance of malabsorption syndrome.
This causes non-specific gastrointestinal disturbances such as pain and diarrhea, but more importantly, adequate absorption of nutrients is compromised. In children, this greatly hinders growth.
4. Lactose Intolerance
According to a publication of the Spanish Foundation of the Digestive System (FEAD), this condition has an estimated prevalence of 20-40% in this country, making it quite a significant condition. It occurs due to low production of enzymes for lactose processing.
This nutrient is a carbohydrate that is abundant in foods such as dairy products, including milk. When not properly processed, it can cause a host of symptoms in addition to diarrhea, such as abdominal pain and bloating.
Can these conditions be treated?
Yes, luckily the conditions we mentioned above have a treatment. Some are only intended to prevent the development of complications, such as hydration in the case of viral gastroenteritis. Others are completely curative, as in the case of appendectomy.
In the case of specific intolerances, such as celiac disease and lactose intolerance, the only solution is to make gradual dietary changes to eliminate potentially harmful foods. Unfortunately, there are no curative treatments for these conditions yet.
A very diverse group of digestive disorders!
We’ve presented you a small selection, but there are many, many more. Bowel obstruction, pancreatitis and Hirschsprung’s disease are just a few of them.
In some cases, they can be diagnosed with routine visits to the pediatrician. However, it is advisable to see a doctor as soon as possible if any of the above symptoms are present. Finally, in specific cases you should consult a pediatric gastroenterologist or a pediatric surgeon.
