Functional constipation (FC) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are commonly seen in children. Ahmadipour et al evaluated the correlation between functional constipation and GERD in children.

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 82 children aged <16 years who were referred to the pediatric gastroenterology clinic and were diagnosed with FC based on the ROME III criteria, and GERD based on clinical history and DeMeester Score.

• Among the 82 children with FC and GERD, there were 45 boys and 37 girls.
• Among these children, FC was noted in 61% (n=50) cases before the onset of GERD, while 39% (n=32) of the children were found to have reflux prior to FC.
• The mean age of participants presenting with FC was 5.66 ± 3.52 and that of children presenting with GERD was 5.24 ± 2.83 years. The difference in mean age did not reach statistical significance.
• Among children with GERD, there were 13 (40.6%) males and 19 females. Among those with FC, there were 32 (64%) males and 18 females. The gender-based difference was found to be statistically significant between the two groups.

The study revealed that the prevalence of FC was higher in children compared to GERD.

GERD and FC should be considered for treatment concurrently and patients having functional digestive diseases should undergo monitoring and follow-up.

Source: Ahmadipour S, Salami-Khaneshan A, Farahmand F, Baharvand P. Co-occurrence of childhood functional constipation and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2022 Jan 29;74:103302.