GI Disorders in Childhood Flashcards
What are the causes of chronic diarrhoea in childhood? (6)
Enteropathy (coeliac, CMPI) Pancreatic Insufficiency Lactase Deficiency IBD - weight loss, abdominal pain, tiredness, rectal bleeding Constipation (overflow soiling) CF (malabsorption)
What causes abdominal pain? (4)
Constipation
Functional/RAP/Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Duodenal ulcer/H. Pylori
IBD
What causes chronic vomiting? (3)
GORD
Intestinal Obstruction
Duodenal ulcer
What are some reasons for failure to thrive and weight loss? (2)
Coeliac
CF
What causes rectal bleeding? (4)
IBD (Crohns or Ulcerative colitis)
Fissures/haemarrhoids
Polyps/Polyposis syndromes
Infection (Bacterial)
What is the mean intestinal transit time in young children?
33 hours
85% of 1-4 year olds pass stools ____ a day.
Once or twice
How are functional GI disorders diagnosed/defined?
Criteria fulfilled at least once per week for at least 2 months before diagnosis.
What are the main categories of functional GI disorders?
Vomiting, abdominal pain, functional diarrhoea, disorders of defecation
Define constipation.
Infrequent, hard stools (or difficulty/delay in defecation leading to distress).
Passing less than 3 stools per week OR if they have painful bowel movements and stool retention in spite of passing stools more than 3 times per week.
Define soiling.
Escape of stool into the underclothes
Define encopresis.
The passage of normal stools in abnormal places
How many % of visits to paediatric practice are due to constipation? How many % presenting to a paediatric GI clinic?
3%
25%
How does constipation present? (6)
Diarrhoea/soiling Infrequent bowel movements Painful bowel movements Palpable rectal abdominal mass Acute abdominal pain Recurrent urinary tract infections
What are the types of causes of constipation?
Functional
Organic
What are the organic causes of constipation? (4)
Hirschsprung’s
Hypothyroidism
Neurologic
Anal stenosis
What suggests an organic cause of constipation?
History of constipation in neonatal period Delayed passage of meconium Failure to thrive Distended abdomen Abnormal anus Sacral dimples
What is noticed on PR exam for Hirschsprung’s?
Empty rectum
How is constipation diagnosed by examination?
Palpable rocks in the abdomen, hard faeces on PR exam, and anal tone patulous
How is constipation diagnosed by investigation?
Transit time is measured by marker studies
TSH/Calcium
Rectal suction biopsy
Anorectal manometry
How is constipation treated?
Initial clear out - high dose laxatives/lavage
Maintenance treatment
One softener, one stimulant
What are the different types of laxatives? (5)
Stool bulk formers, osmotic laxatives, stool softeners, stimulants, specific 5HT4 receptor antagonists.
How do stool bulk formers work? Give some examples.
They increase stool bulk by drawing water around their fibres. This requires adequate fluid intake. E.g. fibre supplements, sterculia.
How do osmotic laxatives work? Give some examples.
They draw water into the intestinal lumen. They may cause dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities. E.g. lactulose, magnesium.
How do stool softeners work? Give an example.
These are retained in the stool, they ease passage. E.g. liquid paraffin.