title: Signs and symptoms associated with digestive tract development.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the development and prevalence of gastrointestinal signs and symptoms associated with the development of the digestive tract, and to assess the measures aimed to reduce their negative impacts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Considering the scope and comprehensiveness of the subject, a systematic review of the literature was not carried out. The Medline database was used to identify references that would allow the analysis of the study topics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Infants frequently show several gastrointestinal signs and symptoms. These clinical manifestations can be part of gastrointestinal functional disorders such as infantile colic, infant regurgitation, and functional constipation. Allergy to cow's milk protein and gastroesophageal reflux disease are also causes of these clinical manifestations and represent an important and difficult differential diagnosis. The diseases that course with gastrointestinal signs and symptoms can have an impact on family dynamics and maternal emotional status, and may be associated with future problems in the child's life. Comprehensive pediatric care is essential for diagnosis and treatment. Maternal breastfeeding should always be maintained. Some special formulas can contribute to the control of clinical manifestations depending on the established diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  During the normal development of the digestive tract, several gastrointestinal signs and symptoms may occur, usually resulting from functional gastrointestinal disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and allergy to cow's milk protein. Breastfeeding should always be maintained.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Post-Graduation in Nutrition, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: maurobmorais@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mauro Batista de
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Morais
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D003448:Crying / Q000502:physiology; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome / Q000502:physiology; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016269:Milk Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications
keywords: Choro; Constipation; Constipação intestinal; Crying; Fórmulas infantis; Gastroesophageal reflux; Hipersensibilidade a leite; Infant; Infant formula; Lactente; Milk hypersensitivity; Refluxo gastroesofágico