About Kids & Teens GI Health

Welcome to aboutKidsGI.org. On this site you will find support and information about digestive disorders in kids and teens.

Functional gastrointestinal (GI) and motility disorders are common among children. Signs of these disorders include many symptoms that are long-lasting. They range from stomach pains to nausea or vomiting to bowel problems.

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You Are Not Alone

Some Disorders are Common

Disorders like functional abdominal pain, chronic constipation and/or soiling, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) occur in children at a rate similar to adults. They strike about 1 in 10 to 1 in 5 kids and teens.

"My daughter will be 9 yrs. old in August, and she was diagnosed with IBS about a year ago…She would wake up early in the morning sick to her stomach, slumped over with abdominal pain… As a mother, I felt very helpless and began to wonder what brought this on all of a sudden."

Less Common Disorders

Some GI disorders in children are rare. For example, in the U.S. about 200 new cases of intestinal pseudo-obstruction are diagnosed in children each year. Hirschsprung's disease occurs in about 1 out of every 5,000 live births.

My Child Is In Pain. What Should I Do?

Regardless of whether common or rare, functional GI and motility disorders can be painful to both the child and his or her family. The first step is to work with a doctor or health care professional to find out what your child has. Start with your child's primary health care provider. He or she might recommend you visit a specialist.

IFFGD Can Help

IFFGD can help by telling you what to expect when you visit your doctor and what questions you should ask. Once you know what the problem is, we can help you learn more about the condition and the types of treatments available. Always remember: IFFGD is here to help.