1.Parental, Perinatal, and Childhood Risk Factors for Development of Irritable Bowel Syndrome:A Systematic Review
En X S LOW ; Maimouna N K Al MANDHARI ; Charles C HERNDON ; Evelyn X L LOO ; Elizabeth H THAM ; Kewin T H SIAH
Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility 2020;26(4):437-446
Background/Aims:
Adverse early life experiences are associated with the development of stroke, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory and ischemic heart diseases. These negative experiences may also play a role in the development of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)––a functional gastrointestinal disease. This review discusses the research to date on the parental, perinatal, and childhood risk and protective factors associated with the development of IBS.
Methods:
A literature search was completed for studies published between 1966 and 2018 that investigated premorbid factors occurring during the perinatal and childhood periods as well as parental factors that were associated with the development of IBS.
Results:
Twenty-seven studies fulfilled the review criteria. Risk factors that appeared in more than one study included: (1) parental IBS, substance abuse, parental punishment, and rejection as parental risk factors; (2) low birth weight as a perinatal risk factor; and (3) crowded living conditions in low-income families, childhood anxiety, depression, or child abuse as childhood risk factors. Protective factors for IBS were emotional warmth from the parents and being born to an older mother.
Conclusions
More effort is needed to identify what fetal and maternal factors are associated with low birth weight and IBS. A well-executed prospective birth cohort with a collection of bio-samples and functional data will provide a better understanding of how adversity and the interplay between genetics, epigenetics, and numerous risk factors affect the development of IBS.
2.Prevalence, risk factors and parental perceptions of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Asian infants in Singapore.
Vanessa Z Y MCLOUGHLIN ; Noor H A SUAINI ; Kewin SIAH ; Evelyn X L LOO ; Wei Wei PANG ; Yap Seng CHONG ; Keith M GODFREY ; Kok Hian TAN ; Jerry K Y CHAN ; Anne E N GOH ; Bee Wah LEE ; Lynette P SHEK ; Johan G ERIKSSON ; Marion M AW ; Elizabeth H THAM
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2022;51(5):263-271
INTRODUCTION:
Infant gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a significant cause of concern to parents. This study seeks to describe GERD prevalence in infants, evaluate possible risk factors and assess common beliefs influencing management of GERD among Asian parents.
METHODS:
Mother-infant dyads in the Singapore PREconception Study of long-Term maternal and child Outcomes (S-PRESTO) cohort were prospectively followed from preconception to 12 months post-delivery. GERD diagnosis was ascertained through the revised Infant Gastroesophageal Reflux Questionnaire (I-GERQ-R) administered at 4 time points during infancy. Data on parental perceptions and lifestyle modifications were also collected.
RESULTS:
The prevalence of infant GERD peaked at 26.5% at age 6 weeks, decreasing to 1.1% by 12 months. Infants exclusively breastfed at 3 weeks of life had reduced odds of GERD by 1 year (adjusted odds ratio 0.43, 95% confidence interval 0.19-0.97, P=0.04). Elimination of "cold or heaty food" and "gas producing" vegetables, massaging the infant's abdomen and application of medicated oil to the infant's abdomen were quoted as major lifestyle modifications in response to GERD symptoms.
CONCLUSION
Prevalence of GERD in infants is highest in the first 3 months of life, and the majority outgrow it by 1 year of age. Infants exclusively breastfed at 3 weeks had reduced odds of GERD. Cultural-based changes such as elimination of "heaty or cold" food influence parental perceptions in GERD, which are unique to the Asian population. Understanding the cultural basis for parental perceptions and health-seeking behaviours is crucial in tailoring patient education appropriately for optimal management of infant GERD.
Female
;
Gastroesophageal Reflux/epidemiology*
;
Humans
;
Infant
;
Infant, Newborn
;
Male
;
Parents/psychology*
;
Prevalence
;
Risk Factors
;
Singapore/epidemiology*