Pediatric GI latest research publications (relevant to parents)

[Administrator]

Does constipation go away after stopping gluten in newly diagnosed celiac disease pediatric patients?

A 2025 study in Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition followed 248 children with celiac disease who initially presented with constipation.

The findings were striking:
• Only 32% had constipation fully resolve on a gluten-free diet
• 68% required ongoing laxatives, even years later
• Children with encopresis had even lower resolution rates
• Anxiety, depression, and thyroid conditions were more common when constipation persisted

Bottom line: a gluten-free diet alone is often not enough. Constipation in children—especially when chronic—requires long-term, multidisciplinary support, not just dietary changes.

Source: Almallouhi A, Sadek M, Absah I. Clinical outcome of constipation as the presenting symptom in children with celiac disease. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2025. doi:10.1002/jpn3.70316

#PediatricGI #CeliacDisease #ChildhoodConstipation #Encopresis #GutHealthKids #ParentSupport #MyLittleTummyAches #EvidenceBasedParenting

 

[Administrator]

Is fatigue in pediatric IBD is only about gut inflammation?

Fatigue often persists even when the disease is “under control.”

A 2025 study in Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition found that nearly 1 in 3 children with IBD experience severe fatigue, even during clinical remission .
What actually drives fatigue?
- Poor sleep
- Anxiety and depressive symptoms
- Pain
- School pressure and missed school days
- Reduced physical, emotional, and social functioning

In fact, psychological, lifestyle, and social factors explained 78% of fatigue, while traditional disease markers (labs, inflammation levels) played a much smaller role.

This matters because fatigue affects:
• Daily functioning
• School participation
• Quality of life for the whole family

Citation: Stutvoet MD, Vroegindeweij A, Toonen TZ, et al. Fatigue in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease: explained by transdiagnostic and disease‐focused factors. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2025;1‐10. doi:10.1002/jpn3.70317

#PediatricIBD #ChronicIllnessInKids #GutHealth #IBDFatigue #ParentSupport #WholeChildCare #MyLittleTummyAches

 

[Administrator]

Improving IBD or IBS symptoms with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and biofeedback.

A new 2026 randomized controlled trial in The Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition found that adolescents with chronic GI conditions—especially IBD—experience meaningful improvements in physical, emotional, school, and psychosocial functioning when care includes coping skills and stress-regulation support, not just medications.

Researchers studied teens with IBD and IBS who participated in a 6-week virtual program combining cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with heart-rate variability biofeedback—a tool that helps regulate the brain-gut stress response.

Key takeaways for families:

• Chronic GI disorders affect how kids feel, learn, and function day to day

• Stress and the brain-gut connection play a major role in symptoms

• Teaching coping skills can significantly improve quality of life—especially for youth with IBD

• GI care works best when it addresses both the body and the nervous system

Citation: Younginer ST, Westbrook A, Buzenski J, et al. Health‐related quality of life in youth with chronic gastrointestinal disease following a biofeedback enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy intervention: a randomized controlled trial. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2026;1‐12. doi:10.1002/jpn3.70333

#PediatricGI #BrainGutAxis #IBD #IBS #ChildHealth #ParentSupport #MyLittleTummyAches #EvidenceBasedCare

 

[Administrator]

Does baby‐led weaning help against picky eating?

A 2026 study in Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition found that children who followed strict baby-led weaning had a 95% lower likelihood of picky eating between ages 2–5 compared to children who were traditionally spoon-fed.

Why we want to talk about picky eaters in pediatric GI:

• Picky eating is linked to constipation
• Limited food variety can impact nutrition
• Mealtime stress affects digestion and appetite regulation

Baby-led weaning can help support:
- Self-regulation of hunger and fullness
- Exposure to textures early on
- Positive, pressure-free mealtime

“This study provides evidence that Baby‐Led Weaning is associated with substantially lower picky eating behavior among children aged 2–5 years, a relationship that persisted across multiple sensitivity analyses. These findings support BLW as a potentially effective approach to fostering positive feeding”

Citation: Layug‐Dionglay FDMG, Navarro JO, Guno MJV, Napalinga KM. The association of baby‐led weaning and picky eating in children aged 2–5 years. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2026;1‐11.doi:10.1002/jpn3.70331