title: Current concepts in functional gastrointestinal disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are some of the most common and challenging disorders in pediatrics. Recurrent abdominal pain is the central feature of pain-associated FGIDs such as irritable bowel syndrome. A thorough understanding of current pathophysiological concepts is essential to successful management.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The brain-gut axis, role of microbiota and the biopsychosocial model are emerging concepts in FGIDs. The biopsychosocial model focuses on the interplay between genes, environment, and physical and psychosocial factors. Interactions between microbiota and the central, enteric and autonomic nervous systems form the link between gut functions and conscious perceptions. Irritable bowel syndrome is the most extensively studied and prototypical pain-associated FGIDs. An aberrant processing of pain or physiologic signals originating from the gut causes a state of visceral hypersensitivity - a central mechanism of functional pain. Psychosocial and autonomic influences also play large roles. Therapy is tailored to the individual patient and comorbid symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review highlights the complex mechanisms and the aberrant brain-gut neural connections forming the basis of FGIDs. Successful management of FGIDs requires knowledge of the underlying pathophysiology coupled with a multidisciplinary treatment approach. Management should focus on cognitive behavioral therapy, dietary factors along with gastrointestinal motility and psychotropic drug therapy.
authors.affiliation: Center for Pediatric Neurogastroenterology, Motility and Autonomic Disorders, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kovacic
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000639:trends*; D017615:Enteric Nervous System / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000294:innervation* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs