Introduction:

the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders in Ecuadorian younger infant is unknown and there is no gold standard for stool consistency.

Objective:

to determine the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders in infants younger 12 months and to identify the intestinal habit.

Methodology:

prevalence study in hospitalized infants at the Hospital Infantil Baca Ortíz in Quito, Ecuador, who were diagnosed with functional diarrhea, colic, functional constipation, dyschezia, regurgitation, cyclic vomiting syndrome and rumination. Socio-demographic, clinical variables and questions about intestinal habits, based on the Questionnaire for Pediatric Digestive Symptoms Roma III translated and validated in Spanish, were included. The statistic included uni and multivariate analyzes and the calculation of the ORs, being a significant p <0.05.

Results:

a total of 147 infants, 6,8±3,3 months old, 50,3% girls; with the main cause of hospitalization the respiratory system. Were reported 36.0% with some functional gastrointestinal disorders: colic (12.2%), functional constipation (9,5%), dyschezia (8,0%) and regurgitation (7,5%). There were no possible associated risk factors. Hard stools were reported in 4,1% and 7,4% by Criteria of Rome III and Bristol Stool Scale, respectively. There was acceptable agreement (kappa = 0,3989, p = 0.0221) between the parents’ report for the Rome Criteria III and the Bristol Stool Scale.

Conclusion:

one third of these children presented some functional gastrointestinal disorders, being the most frequent functional constipation, regurgitation, colic and dyschezia; without possible risk factors; identifying an acceptable concordance between what was reported by parents according to Rome Criteria III and Bristol Stool Scale. MÉD.UIS.2019;32(2):13-21

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