Gastrointestinal Disorders Overview

Gastrointestinal Disorders

• Diverticulitis: swelling of the intestinal wall, causing pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting.

Celiac Disease

• Abnormal immune response to gluten in wheat, rye, oats, and barley, causing malabsorption of nutrients.
• Symptoms: steatorrhea (bulky, foul-smelling, fatty stools), malnutrition, distended abdomen, and deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins A, D, K, and E.
• Diagnostics: IgA antigliadin antibodies, endoscopy, biopsy, and oral glucose tolerance test.
• Treatment: gluten-free diet, including fruits, veggies, chicken, salmon, tuna, beef, cheese, plain yogurt, milk, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices.

Constipation

• Difficulty passing hardened stools, affecting children of any age.
• Causes: diet, illness, travel, hot weather, withholding stool, and stress.
• Symptoms: soiling underwear, hard or painful stools, many days between bowel movements, stomachaches, cramping, and nausea.
• Treatment: softening stool with orange or prune juice, adequate water intake, fiber-rich foods, and milk.

H. pylori Infection

• Bacterial infection causing ulcers in the stomach and small intestine.
• Symptoms: burning in the upper abdomen, bloating, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, dark stools, and unexplained weight loss.
• Treatment: antibiotic therapy, proton pump inhibitors, and prevention of re-infection.

Hepatic Disorders

• Hepatitis A, B, and C: viral infections causing fever, dark urine, pale stools, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice.
• Symptoms: digestive disorders, diarrhea, joint pain, weakness, fatigue, headache, and sleep disruption.
• Treatment: vaccination, immunization, and strict handwashing and infection control.

Inguinal Hernia

• Protrusion of the bowel into the inguinal ring, more common in boys.
• Symptoms: tension, soreness, delayed feces, gas, hiccups, vomiting, and urinary disorders.
• Treatment: herniotomy or herniorrhaphy.

Hirschsprung's Disease

• Aganglionic megacolon: absence of ganglionic innervation, causing chronic constipation and ribbon-like stools.
• Symptoms: abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, and bowel obstruction.
• Treatment: surgical removal of the affected bowel segment.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

• Autoimmune disorder causing ulcers in the colon and rectum.
• Symptoms: fever, fatigue, stomach pain, vomiting, weight loss, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding.
• Treatment: anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, anti-diarrheal medications, pain relievers, vitamins, and supplements.

Disorders Caused by Food, Vitamin, and Mineral Deficiency

• Kwashiorkor: edematous malnutrition due to protein deficiency, causing hair loss, anemia, and swollen abdomen.
• Marasmus: severe malnutrition due to lack of calories and protein, causing hair loss, stunted growth, and impaired brain function.
• Treatment: dietary management with adequate carbohydrates, fats, and protein.

Common Gastrointestinal Symptoms of Illness in Children

• Vomiting: potentially serious due to metabolic alkalosis and dehydration.
• Diarrhea: acute or chronic, caused by bacterial or viral infection, or other health problems.
• Management: NPO, clear liquid diet, and gradual introduction of solid foods.