Diet for children with bloating

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Posted by Doctor Ma Van Tham - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology, Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital

Bloating and distention are the most commonly reported bothersome symptoms in patients with bowel dysfunction. Children with frequent bloating need to have a scientific diet to not only repel this discomfort but also help other organs be healthier.

1. What is flatulence and bloating?

Bloating and distention are among the severe symptoms reported in patients with inflammatory bowel syndrome. It is often difficult to diagnose the cause and target the correct treatment of abdominal distention.
=>>See more advice from Doctor Ma Van Tham - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology, Vinmec International General Hospital: When should abdominal distention in children be tested?
Before a patient with abdominal distention, we must first rule out all surgical causes of abdominal distention such as: intussusception, intestinal atrophy, anal stenosis, intestinal obstruction due to other causes... Currently, thanks Advances in understanding of the pathogenesis, especially regarding the role of diet, malabsorption of fermentable sugars, dysbiosis of the gut microbiota, altered gut sensitivity, reflexes Abnormal bowel has brought about progress in treatment. Most notably, a diet low in poly, double, and fermentable monosaccharides significantly reduced symptoms and increased quality of life.
==> See more advice from Specialist I Trieu Thi Hong Thai - Neonatologist - Neonatology Department - Vinmec International General Hospital: Baby fussy due to bloating after birth, what parents should do ?

2. Diet for children with bloating

The most significant advance in the treatment of flatulence is due to the discovery of a class of difficult to absorb short-chain carbohydrates (FODMAPs). The term includes carbohydrate molecules with similar properties: fructo-oligosaccharides (fructans), galacto-oligosaccharides, lactose, fructose, sorbitol and mannitol. All have small molecular size, therefore, have high osmotic pressure, little absorption or slow absorption in the small intestine.
The Ileostomy study demonstrated that a diet rich in FODMAPs increased the amount of fluid in the lumen of the small intestine. This can cause peristaltic changes, the dilation of the intestines, causing diarrhea. In addition, because FODMAPs are poorly absorbed in the small intestine, they are transported to the large intestine, where they are fermented by microorganisms to produce hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide. Magnetic resonance imaging has been used to examine changes in fluid and gas in the intestines after ingestion of fructose and fructans, and it has been found that fructose, being a smaller molecule, increases the amount of fluid contained in the lumen of the small intestine. than fructans, and cause a more gas-producing response because most are transferred to bacteria in the large intestine
These carbohydrates have been implicated in the onset of symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome for decades century. Lactose intolerance is the best example of food intolerance related to gastrointestinal symptoms. Several studies in children and adults have indicated the onset of symptoms, including bloating, in individuals with lactose intolerance. Fructose malabsorption has also received great attention, with a low-fructose diet helping to prevent symptoms as well as significantly reduce bloating in patients. On the other hand, in irritable bowel syndrome patients, the administration of a diet restricted in fructose and sorbitol has been shown to significantly improve stool consistency, but bloating has not been specifically evaluated. .
Thanks to the development of adequate data on foods containing FODMAPs, the FOD-MAP-restricted diet has been confirmed as an effective therapy for the relief of symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. in at least 75% of patients. This is by far the most effective treatment.

Other diets are also important. Such as diet restricting exogenous gas intake by avoiding carbonated beverages. Similarly, a low-fiber diet aggravates symptoms of bloating and gas. Fiber plays an important role in laxatives and other health benefits and can relieve some symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, but it can also make symptoms of bloating worse. slightly worse. Therefore, the choice of fiber also needs to be considered carefully. Wheat fibers should be avoided as they are often high in FODMAPs and are not effective in irritable bowel syndrome patients. Slowly fermented fibers, such as psyllium/ispaghula husks, seem to be better tolerated in irritable bowel syndrome, and there is some, albeit weak, evidence for their effectiveness in irritable bowel syndrome. prefer. In another trial of non-biodegradable fiber, such as sterculia or methylcellulose, it was found that indigestible fiber can be much better tolerated than other types of fiber, although so far the Evidence for or against this view is lacking. In addition, to prevent gastrointestinal symptoms such as flatulence and bloating in children, parents should supplement children with supportive products containing lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium. , selenium, B vitamins. These essential vitamins support digestion very well and also help enhance nutrient absorption, improve anorexia, and help children eat well. Parents can simultaneously apply dietary supplements and functional foods derived from nature for easy absorption. The most important thing is that improving your baby's symptoms often takes a long time. The combination of many types of functional foods at the same time or continuously changing many types in a short time can cause the baby's digestive system not to adapt and completely not good. Therefore, parents must be really persistent with their children and regularly visit the website vimec.com to update useful baby care information.