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Background: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are common in children. The prevalence of FGIDs varies across the world but is unknown in Malaysia. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of FGIDs in healthy Malaysian infants. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving healthy infants younger than 12 months of age who attended a well-baby clinic. A universal sampling method was adopted. Children with congenital disorders potentially affecting gastrointestinal functions, chronic debilitating diseases and hypothyroidism were excluded. Rome IV criteria were used to define FGIDs. Results: Of the total 534 infants recruited (54% males), 92% were born at term; 85% had normal birth weight [range 2.5e4.0 kg], and the mean (AES.D.) age at interview was 6.8 (AE3.4) months. Thirty-six percent were breastfed, 29% were formula-fed, and 35% had mixed feeding. Prevalence of infant regurgitation and rumination syndrome was 10.5% and 1.7%, respectively. Prevalence of infant colic was 1.9% (3/160) (infant < 5 months old) while infant dyschezia, functional constipation and diarrhoea were 1.3%, 1.1% and 0.3%, respectively. No subjects fulfilled diagnostic criteria for cyclic vomiting syndrome. Breastfed infants were less likely to regurgitate, after adjustment for age, gender, ethnicity, birth weight and gestation (adjusted OR 0.25 [95% CI 0.12e0.54]; p < 0.001). No significant differences among other factors (gender, Malays vs. non-Malays, premature vs. term, and birthweight) were noted for other FGIDs. Conclusion: With the exception of the lower prevalence of infant colic and functional constipation, the prevalence rates of other FGIDs observed in the present study were similar to those published in the literature. Breastfeeding protects against infant regurgitation.

Although remission was achieved in the majority of patients with prednisolone and/or azathioprine therapy, delay in seeking diagnosis and treatment adversely affects the outcome of childhood AILD in Malaysia.

AIMTo examine the medical status of children with biliary atresia (BA) surviving with native livers.METHODSIn this cross-sectional review, data collected included complications of chronic liver disease (CLD) (cholangitis in the preceding 12 mo, portal hypertension, variceal bleeding, fractures, hepatopulmonary syndrome, portopulmonary hypertension) and laboratory indices (white cell and platelet counts, total bilirubin, albumin, international normalized ratio, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase). Ideal medical outcome was defined as absence of clinical evidence of CLD or abnormal laboratory indices.RESULTSFifty-two children [females = 32, 62%; median age 7.4 years, n = 35 (67%) older than 5 years] with BA (median age at surgery 60 d, range of 30 to 148 d) survived with native liver. Common complications of CLD noted were portal hypertension (40%, n = 21; 2 younger than 5 years), cholangitis (36%) and bleeding varices (25%, n = 13; 1 younger than 5 years). Fifteen (29%) had no clinical complications of CLD and three (6%) had normal laboratory indices. Ideal medical outcome was only seen in 1 patient (2%).CONCLUSIONClinical or laboratory evidence of CLD are present in 98% of children with BA living with native livers after hepatoportoenterostomy. Portal hypertension and variceal bleeding may be seen in children younger than 5 years of age, underscoring the importance of medical surveillance for complications of BA starting at a young age.

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