Update on Pediatric Functional Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are defined as a variable combination of chronic or recurrent gastrointestinal symptoms not explained by structural or biochemical abnormalities. The Rome II pediatric criteria for functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) were defined in 1999 to be used as diagnostic tools and to advance empirical research. In 2006 the Rome III Committee aimed to update and revise the pediatric criteria. The pediatric conditions were divided by age into an infant/toddler (0 similar to 4 yrs) and child/adolescent (5 similar to 18 yrs). Notable changes from Rome II to Rome III criteria include the decrease from 3 to 2 months in required symptom duration for noncyclic disorders and the modification of the criteria for functional abdominal pain. Cyclic vomiting syndrome may be diagnosed after 2 rather than 3 episodes. This article reviews the pediatric functional upper gastrointestinal disorders based on Rome III criteria. The future availability of validation studies of Rome criteria, epidemiologic studies, evidence-based data will likely continue to modify pediatric criteria for FGIDs.