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Gut-Brain Interaction Disorders in Children: Emerging Insights in the 21st...
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Gut-Brain Interaction Disorders in Children: Emerging Insights in the 21st Century

A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 September 2025) | Viewed by 1777

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Miguel Saps

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Division, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
Interests: pediatric gastroenterology; functional bowel disorders; digestive disorders
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Jose Garza

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
GI Care for Kids, Neurogastroenterology and Motility Program Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
Interests: pediatric gastroenterology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to explore the latest research in pediatric gastroenterology, motility, and disorders of gut–brain interaction, highlighting cutting-edge developments in pathophysiology, diagnostic techniques, and treatment strategies. By gathering contributions from experts in the field, we seek to advance our understanding and improve patient outcomes.

We encourage submissions covering the following topics:

Current understanding and evolving concepts of gut–brain interaction; advances in pediatric gut–brain interaction disorders; emerging therapeutic approaches, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions; epidemiological studies.

Prof. Dr. Miguel Saps
Dr. Jose Garza
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • pediatric gastroenterology
  • gastrointestinal motility
  • disorders of gut–brain interaction
  • pathophysiology
  • diagnostic techniques
  • treatment strategies

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 953 KB  
Article
Early-Life Events and the Prevalence of Gut–Brain Interaction Disorders in Children
by Atchariya Chanpong, Natchayada Ponjorn, Nattaporn Tassanakijpanich, Vanlaya Koosakulchai, Pornruedee Rachatawiriyakul, Sirinthip Kittivisuit, Puttichart Khantee and Kamolwish Laoprasopwattana
Children 2025, 12(11), 1430; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12111430 - 23 Oct 2025
Viewed by 562
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBI) include a spectrum of disorders with chronic/recurrent gastrointestinal symptoms, caused by dysregulation of microbiota–gut–brain interaction. Early-life events have been suggested as the main factors influencing the microbiota–gut–brain axis. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of DGBI [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBI) include a spectrum of disorders with chronic/recurrent gastrointestinal symptoms, caused by dysregulation of microbiota–gut–brain interaction. Early-life events have been suggested as the main factors influencing the microbiota–gut–brain axis. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of DGBI in 3-year-old children and its relationship with early-life events. Methods: The parents of children aged 3 years, who had been followed up in a well-baby clinic since they were 2 months old, were asked about any GI symptoms their child had experienced during the check-up visits between September 2023 and June 2024. The final diagnosis of DGBI was based on ROME IV criteria. Demographic data, including early-life factors, were collected. Results: Overall, 568 children (48.6% boys) were included, of whom 139 (24.5%) had symptoms consistent with at least one DGBI diagnosis. The most prevalent DGBI was functional constipation (20.4%), followed by colic (4.6%), infant regurgitation (2.8%), and dyschezia (1.6%). Approximately 48% of the children were breastfed for ≥6 months, and 21% were exposed to ≥1 antibiotic/antiviral drugs in the first year of life. DGBI prevalence was significantly higher in girls than in boys (28.1% vs. 20.7%; p = 0.041). Exclusive breastfeeding was the most significant protective factor against DGBI, particularly if performed for ≥3 months. Conclusions: Sex was the most significant factor affecting DGBI prevalence in children aged ≤3 years; breastfeeding offers the most effective protection against DGBI development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut-Brain Interaction Disorders in Children: Emerging Insights in the 21st Century)
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8 pages, 331 KB  
Article
The Relationship Between Prematurity and Mode of Delivery with Disorders of Gut–Brain Interaction in Children
by Carlos Alberto Velasco-Benitez, Daniela Alejandra Velasco-Suarez, Natalia Palma, Samantha Arrizabalo and Miguel Saps
Children 2025, 12(6), 799; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12060799 - 18 Jun 2025
Viewed by 905
Abstract
Background: Disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBI) are multifactorial. Early-life events are proposed as factors involved in their etiopathogenesis. The relationship between mode of delivery, prematurity, and DGBI development remains unclear. This study examines whether cesarean delivery and prematurity contribute to early childhood DGBI. [...] Read more.
Background: Disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBI) are multifactorial. Early-life events are proposed as factors involved in their etiopathogenesis. The relationship between mode of delivery, prematurity, and DGBI development remains unclear. This study examines whether cesarean delivery and prematurity contribute to early childhood DGBI. Methods: Caregivers of children aged 1 month to 4 years from four Colombian cities participated in a cross-sectional study. Pediatricians completed the Spanish-validated Questionnaire of Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rome IV (QPGS-IV). Data of children born by cesarean delivery and prematurity were compared with controls. Categorical data were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test, and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: DGBIs were identified in 26.6% of children, with functional constipation (FC) being the most prevalent (22.3%). Among children born via cesarean section (54.3%), 30.4% of them had a DGBI (OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.20–1.96, p = 0.00), and 26.3% had FC (OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.29–2.18, p = 0.00). Prematurity was observed in 12.6% of children and was associated with a higher prevalence of DGBI (35.7%, (OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.16–2.29, p = 0.00), with FC affecting 30.8% (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.16–2.35, p = 0.00). Conclusions: Cesarean delivery and prematurity were found to be associated with DGBI in early childhood, particularly FC. These findings highlight the need for further research to explore potential mechanisms and confirm these associations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut-Brain Interaction Disorders in Children: Emerging Insights in the 21st Century)
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