Systematic Reviews
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2016.
World J Gastroenterol. Jul 28, 2016; 22(28): 6547-6558
Published online Jul 28, 2016. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i28.6547
Table 1 Classification of functional gastrointestinal disorders in infants and toddlers
Rome III nomenclatureAgeFrequencyDurationSynonym or approximate terms
G1Infant regurgitation3 wk-12 mo≥ 2 regurgitations/d≥ 3 wkGastroesophageal reflux
G2Infant rumination syndrome3-8 mo1≥ 3 moChildhood feeding and eating disorders2
G3Cyclic vomiting syndrome≥ 2 vomiting episodeshours - daysPeriodic vomiting
G4Infant colic0-4 mo≥ 3 d/wk for ≥ 1 wk≥ 3 h/dInfantile colic; abdominal pain syndrome
Wessel’s criteria: irritability, fussing or crying
G5Functional diarrhea6-36 mo1≥ 3 painless stools/d≥ 4 wkInfantile diarrhea
G6Infant dyschezia< 6 mo≥ 10 min strainingStraining and crying
G7Functional constipation ≤ 4 yr ≤ 2 defecations/wk≥ 4 wkClassic Iowa criteria
≥ 1 incontinence/wkFunctional defecation disorder
Functional fecal retention3
Table 2 Prevalence or frequency of functional gastrointestinal disorders: Eating and feeding problems in infants and toddlers
Author, year, countryStudy design, settingSample size (participation %)Age bracketCase definitionCase ascertainmentScoreFGID prevalence %
RegurgitationRuminationCyclic vomiting
Van Tilburg, 2015, United StatesCross-sectional, community264 (82.5)0-3 yrRome IIIOnline panel w/mothers225.94.33.4
QPGS-RIII
PedsQL4.0
Rouster, 2015, United StatesCross-sectional, specialty care332 (91.0)0-4 yrRome IIIParental interviews413.23.010.2
QPGS-RIII
Liu, 2009, ChinaCross-sectional, community5030 (99.4)0-2 yrRome IIIParental interviews617.9
Parental questionnaire on GI symptoms
Primavera, 2009, ItalyCross-sectional, primary care9291 (NR)0-14 yrRome IIInterviews w/parents and children40.44
FGID questionnaire
Campanozzi, 2009, ItalyCross-sectional, primary care2642 (NR)1-12 moRome IIInterviews w/parents and children412.0
I-GERQ
Miele, 2004, ItalyCross-sectional, primary care9660 (NR)1-12 moRome IIInterviews w/parents and children40.74
FGID questionnaires
Table 3 Prevalence or frequency of functional gastrointestinal disorders: Colic and defecation problems in infants and toddlers
Author, year, countryStudy design, settingSample size (participation %)Age bracketCase definitionCase ascertainmentScoreFGID prevalence %
ColicDiarrheaDyscheziaConstipation
Tharner, 2015, the NetherlandsPopulation-based birth-cohort, community4823 (61)2-4 yrRome IIInterviews w/parents and children, CEBQ - parental72 yr: 11.2
3 yr: 15.7
4 yr: 14.2
Van Tilburg, 2015, United StatesCross-sectional, community264 (82)0-3 yrRome IIIOnline panel w/mothers25.98.82.414.1
QPGS-RIII
PedsQL4.0
Kramer, 2015, the NetherlandsProspective cohort, well-baby clinics1292 (87)1-9 moRome IIIInterviews w/parents and children Parental questionnaire61 mo: 3.9/17.31
M-Rome III3 mo: 0.9/6.51
Rouster, 2015, United StatesCross-sectional, specialty care332 (91)0–4 yrRome IIIParental interviews44.20.33.329.2
QPGS-RIII
Osakatul, 2014, ThailandCross-sectional, hospital’s catchment area3010 (97.1)4 mo-5 yrRome IIParental interviews71.9 (Rome II)
Rome IIILaboratory exams1.6 (Rome III)
Turco, 2014, ItalyProspective birth-cohort, university-based hospitals402 (86.4)0-12 moRome IIITelephone interview w/parents43 mo: 11.6
6 mo: 13.7
12 mo: 10.7
Mota, 2012, BrazilPopulation-based birth-cohort, community3799 (92)0-4 yrM-Rome IIInterviews w/mothers72 yr: 27.31
4 yr: 31.01
Liu, 2009, ChinaCross-sectional, community5030 (99.4)0-2 yrRome IIIParental interviews61.412.313.7
Parental questionnaire on GI symptoms
Aydoğdu, 2009, TurkeyCross-sectional (retrospective), university-based hospital and specialty care unit193 (NR)0-5 yrRome IIMedical records351.9
Iowa criteriaLaboratory exams
Miele, 2004, ItalyCross-sectional, primary care9660 (NR)1-12 moRome IIInterviews w/parents and children40.070.68
FGID questionnaires
Voskuijl, 2004, the NetherlandsCross-sectional, tertiary care45 (65.7) ≤ 6 yrRome IIPatient diary364.0
Iowa criteriaMedical interviews w/ parents and children
Physical examination