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Stomach Ache in Children and a Low-FODMAP Diet
Repeat the Experience?
Given that children are constantly growing, it is vital to re-test FODMAP tolerance every 3 to 6 months. Tolerance and absorption potential of certain foods change with age. For example, adults absorb fructose more easily than young children. It is therefore very possible that foods high in fructose (like asparagus, cherries, mangos and honey) will be better tolerated when the child is a little older.
Be Careful!
Given that several dietary habits are formed from a young age, it’s a good idea not to place too much emphasis on making some foods “good” and others “bad/forbidden.” The fact is the majority of high-FODMAP foods are healthy foods that can be part of a balanced diet. It’s also for this reason that we recommend reintroduction tests after 2 to 6 weeks.
| Low-FODMAP Diet for Mum to Treat Colic in Baby
Several mothers whose children suffer from colic have tried changing their diet to prevent colic, with some success. You might therefore think that reducing your consumption of FODMAPs as a mother can diminish the discomfort of your breastfed baby… we unfortunately don’t have any data enabling us to make that recommendation. If you try this method, make sure you maintain a balanced and varied diet to prevent any nutritional deficiency. The only intervention that seems to reduce colic is supplementing the probiotic L. reuteri DSM 17938. |
In summary, a low FODMAP diet can be a solution to manage chronic stomach aches and other gastrointestinal troubles in children. Before trying this method, make sure you speak with a pediatric dietitian and take the necessary precautions.
*FODMAPs are fermentable carbohydrates that are partly responsible for causing symptoms in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). For more info, read this article.
References
- Hill, P., Muir, J. G., & Gibson, P. R. (2017). Controversies and Recent Developments of the Low-FODMAP Diet. Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 13(1), 36–45.
- Halmos EP, Christophersen CT, Bird AR, et al. (janvier 2015). Diets that differ in their FODMAP content alter the colonic luminal microenvironment Gut; 64:93-100.
- Kerckhoffs, A. P., Samsom, M., van der Rest, M. E., de Vogel, J., Knol, J., Ben-Amor, K., & Akkermans, L. M. (2009). Lower Bifidobacteria counts in both duodenal mucosa-associated and fecal microbiota in irritable bowel syndrome patients. World Journal of Gastroenterology : WJG, 15(23), 2887–2892. http://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.15.2887
- Mättö, J., Maunuksela, L., Kajander, K., Palva, A., Korpela, R., Kassinen, A. and Saarela, M. (2005), Composition and temporal stability of gastrointestinal microbiota in irritable bowel syndrome – a longitudinal study in IBS and control subjects. FEMS Immunology & Medical Microbiology, 43: 213–222. doi:10.1016/j.femsim.2004.08.009
- Staudacher, HM., Lomer, MC., Anderson, JL., Barrett, JS., Muir, JG., Irving, PM., & Whelan, K. (août 2012). Fermentable carbohydrate restriction reduces luminal and gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. J Nutr; 142(8):1510-8; doi: 10.3945/jn.112.159285
- Iacovou, M. (22 novembre 2016). Adapting the low FODMAP diet to special populations: infants and children. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology; 32 (suppl. 1): 43-45. doi:10.1111 ∕jgh.13696
- Chumpitazi, B. P., Cope, J. L., Hollister, E. B., Tsai, C. M., McMeans, A. R., Luna, R. A., … Shulman, R. J. (2015). Randomised Clinical Trial: Gut Microbiome Biomarkers are Associated with Clinical Response to a Low FODMAP Diet in Children with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 42(4), 418–427. http://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13286
- Newlove-Delgado TV, Martin AE, Abbott RA, Bethel A, Thompson-Coon J, Whear R, Logan S. (mars 2017). Dietary interventions for recurrent abdominal pain in childhood. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD010972. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010972.pub2.
Author
Member of the Quebec College of Dietitians (ODNQ) and Dietitians of Canada,Jef graduated from McGill University in December 2014. Recently graduated and passionate about culinary arts, Jef poses a simple, effective and practical look at daily meal planning. With this in mind, she works in conjunction with the mission of SOSCuisine...
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