Review shows that parental reassurance and nutritional advice help to optimise the management of functional gastrointestinal disorders in infants

Abstract

Aim: Regurgitation, infantile colic and functional constipation are common functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) during infancy. Our aim was to carry out a concise review of the literature, evaluate the impact of these common FGIDs on infants and their families, and provide an overview of national and international guidelines and peer-reviewed expert recommendations on their management.

Methods: National and international guidelines and peer-reviewed expert recommendations on the management of regurgitation, infantile colic and functional constipation were examined and summarised.

Results: Regurgitation, infantile colic and functional constipation cause frequent parental concerns, lead to heavy personal and economic costs for families and impose a financial burden on public healthcare systems. Guidelines emphasise that the first-line management of these common FGIDs should focus on parental education, reassurance and nutritional advice. Nutritional advice should stress the benefits of continuing breastfeeding, while special infant formulas may be considered for non-breastfed infants with common FGIDs. Drug treatment is seldom required, with the exception of functional constipation.

Conclusion: By providing complete and updated parental education, reassurance and nutritional advice, healthcare professionals can optimise the management of FGIDs and related symptoms and reduce the inappropriate use of medication or dietary interventions.