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Gastrointestinal Dysfunction and Nutritional Intervention

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutritional Epidemiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 July 2024) | Viewed by 4452

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Pediatrics, University Federico II of Naples, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
Interests: nutrition; metabolism; lipid metabolism; gastrointestinal disorders; diarrhea; intestinal infection; pediatric gastroenterology; nutritional rehabilitation; intestinal failure; clinical nutrition; pediatric nutrition
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are very common at pediatric age and are associated with a high rate of morbidity and the need for pediatric gastroenterological consultation. FGIDs, although not constituting an organic pathology, strongly compromise the quality of life of children and incur high costs for the national healthcare system.

The etiopathogenesis of FGIDs has not yet been clarified, and there is no diagnostic test that leads to a definitive diagnosis; however, we can define them as a variable combination of gastrointestinal symptoms, chronic or recurrent, not related to organic pathology. The worldwide prevalence of abdominal pain related to FGIDs is approximately 15% of school-age children, and the most frequent disorder is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); regurgitation and constipation are the most frequent symptoms in infants and in the first years of life, respectively. Over the years, the need to standardize the diagnostic criteria of FGIDs has emerged through the definition of the Rome IV criteria.

Nutritional interventions in these patients are as fundamental as cognitive–behavioral therapies aimed at reassurance and an understanding of visceral pain and symptom management. The use of probiotics and diets—for example, the temporary elimination of cow milk proteins in infant colic or the low-short-chain-carbohydrate (FODMAP) diet in SCI—are supportive therapies with variable benefits, depending on the situation. Their effectiveness lies in limiting the damage related to the inevitable weight loss due to the persistence of disabling symptoms and, therefore, limiting the development of clinical and laboratory conditions of malnutrition that are not tolerable during these periods of growth in the child.

This Special Issue aims to collect the latest research on this topic. Therefore, original studies, narrative and systematic reviews, and meta-analyses that focus on the role of nutritional intervention in functional gastrointestinal disorders are most welcome.

Prof. Dr. Maria Immacolata Spagnuolo
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • gastrointestinal dysfunction
  • malnutrition
  • weight loss
  • nutrition
  • supportive therapy
  • abdominal pain
  • children
  • growth

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 580 KiB  
Article
Importance of an Ongoing Nutritional Counselling Intervention on Eating Habits of Newly Diagnosed Children with Celiac Disease
by Gesala Perez-Junkera, Edurne Simón, Ariane Erika Calvo, Zuriñe García Casales, Pablo Oliver Goicolea, Juan Ignacio Serrano-Vela, Idoia Larretxi and Arrate Lasa
Nutrients 2024, 16(15), 2418; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16152418 - 25 Jul 2024
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Abstract
A strict lifelong gluten-free diet (GFD) is the current treatment for the management of celiac disease (CD). Several studies have demonstrated that without proper dietary assessment, this diet leads to nutritional deficiencies and/or imbalances. The present study aimed to improve the dietary habits [...] Read more.
A strict lifelong gluten-free diet (GFD) is the current treatment for the management of celiac disease (CD). Several studies have demonstrated that without proper dietary assessment, this diet leads to nutritional deficiencies and/or imbalances. The present study aimed to improve the dietary habits of newly diagnosed children with CD through ongoing and face-to-face dietary counseling. Forty-three participants were followed during the first year after CD diagnosis. Dietary data were collected at diagnosis (Vt0), after 3 months on a GFD (Vt3), and after 1 year following a GFD (Vt12). Participants completed a 3-day 24-h food recall, a food frequency questionnaire, and the KIDMED index. After each data collection, participants received dietary assessment and nutritional education. Participants consumed more plant-origin foods after the intervention, with most of them reaching the daily recommendations. Fresh food intake increased and that of ultra-processed foods decreased. Compliance with the Mediterranean diet also improved. Personalized dietary assessment and ongoing follow-up improved the dietary patterns of children recently diagnosed with CD, highlighting the importance of dietitian involvement in the management of CD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gastrointestinal Dysfunction and Nutritional Intervention)
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Review

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18 pages, 348 KiB  
Review
An Anti-Inflammatory Diet and Its Potential Benefit for Individuals with Mental Disorders and Neurodegenerative Diseases—A Narrative Review
by Sophie M. van Zonneveld, Ellen J. van den Oever, Benno C. M. Haarman, Emmy L. Grandjean, Jasper O. Nuninga, Ondine van de Rest and Iris E. C. Sommer
Nutrients 2024, 16(16), 2646; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16162646 - 10 Aug 2024
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Abstract
This narrative review synthesizes current evidence regarding anti-inflammatory dietary patterns and their potential benefits for individuals with mental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Chronic low-grade inflammation is increasingly recognized as a key factor in the etiology and progression of these conditions. The review examines [...] Read more.
This narrative review synthesizes current evidence regarding anti-inflammatory dietary patterns and their potential benefits for individuals with mental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Chronic low-grade inflammation is increasingly recognized as a key factor in the etiology and progression of these conditions. The review examines the evidence for the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties of dietary components and food groups, focusing on whole foods rather than specific nutrients or supplements. Key dietary components showing potential benefits include fruits and vegetables (especially berries and leafy greens), whole grains, legumes, fatty fish rich in omega-3, nuts (particularly walnuts), olive oil, and fermented foods. These foods are generally rich in antioxidants, dietary fiber, and bioactive compounds that may help modulate inflammation, support gut health, and promote neuroprotection. Conversely, ultra-processed foods, red meat, and sugary beverages may be harmful. Based on this evidence, we designed the Brain Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition (BrAIN) diet. The mechanisms of this diet include the modulation of the gut microbiota and the gut–brain axis, the regulation of inflammatory pathways, a reduction in oxidative stress, and the promotion of neuroplasticity. The BrAIN diet shows promise as an aid to manage mental and neurodegenerative disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gastrointestinal Dysfunction and Nutritional Intervention)
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