Abstract

STUDY ON PREVALENCE OF FUNCTIONAL GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN IN TRIVANDRUM

Gowri Parvathy S. R.*, Prof. Dr. Merlin N. J. and Prof. Dr. Shaiju S. Dharan

Abstract

Background: FGIDs lower the quality of life of children when compared with children having organic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease. Although a smaller number of studies have been conducted on impact of FGID in school children in Thiruvananthapuram, South Kerala, it is likely to be considerable. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 220 subjects in different schools in Thiruvananthapuram. Subjects were provided with Questionnaire on Paediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms- Rome III version (QPGS-RIII), which involved various symptoms experienced by children, its duration, bowel habit, school absenteeism related to illness. Result: Out of 220 subjects 181 subjects were reported to have GI illness, 82%, which shows a high prevalence rate of FGID among school children. The most common FGID was abdominal pain, followed by functional vomiting, functional dyspepsia and defaecation disorders. As per studies more than half of the subjects never missed school due to illness and this conclude that FGIDs produce less adverse effect on quality of life of children. Conclusion: In conclusion, a high prevalence of FGIDs was found in school children of age group 6-13 years in Thiruvananthapuram, South Kerala with a low rate of physician consultation.

Keywords: Constipation, FGID, School children, QPGS-RIII, quality of life.