| About
Kids GI Health
A site from IFFGD IFFGD
is a registered nonprofit education and research organization founded in 1991.
Our mission is to inform, assist, and support people affected by gastrointestinal
(GI) disorders. We address issues of digestive health in children through support
of education and research. We promote awareness—among the public, health
care providers, researchers, and regulators—of conditions such as:
- Functional gastrointestinal
disorders
- Gastroesophageal reflux (GER)
- Gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD), and
- Other conditions
that affect gastrointestinal health
We strive
to provide a link between clinical research and patient care so that advancements
concerning GI health result in improvements in the quality of life for those affected.
IFFGD offers a community of support for the children and families affected by
gastrointestinal disorders.
 Some
gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in children are rare. For example, in the U.S.
about 200 new cases of intestinal psuedo-obstruction are diagnosed in children
each year. Hirschsprung's disease occurs in about 1 out of every 5,000 live births.
Most
children with Hirschsprung's disease and intestinal pseudo-obstruction are best
managed by a multidisciplinary group of physicians, nurses, social workers, and
others due to the complex, rare, and chronic nature of the problems. Some
GI disorders are relatively common. Constipation and/or encopresis account for
approximately 10-25% of children who are referred to a pediatric gastroenterologist. The
occurrence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in children is similar to the rate
in adults (5% to 20%). Symptoms sufficient for a diagnosis of IBS were noted in
17% of high school students and 8% of middle school students. [Hyams J., et. al.,
Journal of Pediatrics, 1996] Three
common functional GI disorders—infant regurgitation, functional fecal retention,
and functional dyspepsia (recurrent abdominal pain)—each affect about 10%
of the pediatric population. Both
genetics and early life experiences influence an individual's susceptibility to
adult functional gastrointestinal disorders. The developing brain and nervous
system are modulated by early life experiences. Early effective interventions
in children have the potential to prevent or reduce the incidence and/or severity
of later functional GI disorders in adults. There is an urgent need to study these
disorders in children.
More research is needed to improve diagnosis,
care, and treatment of children with GI disorders. Find out how you can help.
Contact IFFGD. Back
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