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Background and Aim: There have been no large‐scale epidemiological study of functional constipation of pediatric gastroenterology services. This survey was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of functional constipation and magnitude of related problems in hospital settings of various countries as well as the practice of pediatric gastroenterologists in management of these conditions. Methods: The survey was conducted by sending questionnaires to members of Societies for Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition of various continents. Results: A total of 274 pediatric gastroenterologists from 41 countries participated in this study. Functional constipation accounted for overall 30% of patients attending pediatric gastroenterology outpatient clinics. In comparison with non‐western countries, respondents from western countries reported significantly higher median annual numbers of new patients with intractable functional constipation (10 [4,25] vs 5 [2,10], P < 0.001), dyssynergic defecation (3 [0,15] vs 1 [0,4], P < 0.001), and colonic inertia (2 [0,5] vs 0 [0,1], P < 0.001). The use of high dose polyethylene glycol for fecal disimpaction was significantly more commonly among respondents from western countries, whereas rectal enema was significantly more favored in non‐western countries. Respondents from different continents reported significant discrepancies in choices of investigations and management of patients with dyssynergic defecation and colonic inertia. Conclusions: Functional constipation is a major problem for pediatric gastroenterology outpatient services worldwide. There were significant variations in the investigations of choice and therapeutic management of functional constipation, intractable functional constipation, and related problems among pediatric gastroenterologists of different geographic regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Functional dyspepsia ( FD) is an important gastrointestinal problem with obscure etiology. Abnormal gastric motility is suggested as a possible pathophysiological mechanism for symptoms. The main objective of this study was to assess gastric motility in Sri Lankan children with FD. Methods Forty-one children (19 [46.3%] males, age 4-14 years, mean 7.5 years, SD 2.6 years) referred to the Gastroenterology Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, from January 2007 to December 2011, were screened. Those fulfilling Rome III criteria for FD were recruited. None had clinical or laboratory evidence of organic disorders. Twenty healthy children were recruited as controls (eight [40%] males, age 4-14 years, mean 8.4 years, SD 3.0 years). Liquid gastric emptying rate ( GE) and antral motility parameters were assessed using an ultrasound-based method. Results Average GE (45.6% vs 66.2% in controls), amplitude of antral contractions (58.2% vs 89.0%) and antral motility index (5.1 vs 8.3) were lower and fasting antral area (1.5 cm2 vs 0.6 cm2) was higher in patients with FD ( P < 0.01). Frequency of antral contractions (8.8 vs 9.3) did not show a significant difference ( P = 0.07). Scores obtained for severity of abdominal pain negatively correlated with GE (r = −0.35, P = 0.025). Children with FD, exposed to stressful events had higher fasting antral area (1.9 cm2) than those not exposed to stress (1.0 cm2) ( P = 0.02). Conclusions GE and antral motility parameters were significantly impaired in children with FD compared with controls. GE negatively correlated with severity of symptoms. This study points to disturbances in gastric motility as an etiological factor for FD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]