Aerophagia in children: characterization of a functional gastrointestinal disorder

The purpose of this study was to describe presenting symptoms, diagnostic testing, treatments and outcomes in a group of children with a diagnosis of aerophagia. A computerized diagnostic index was used to identify all children between the age of 1 and 17 years diagnosed with aerophagia at a tertiary care medical centre between 1975 and 2003. Individual medical charts were abstracted for information on the demographics, clinical features, co-morbid diagnoses, diagnostic work up and treatment of children with aerophagia. Information on presenting symptoms was also collected for a group of children who were retrospectively classified as having functional dyspepsia for comparison (n = 40). Forty-five children had a diagnosis of aerophagia. The mean duration of symptoms in children with aerophagia was 16 +/- 5 months. The most common gastrointestinal symptoms were abdominal pain, distention and frequent belching. Children with functional dyspepsia had a higher prevalence of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and unintentional weight loss compared to children with aerophagia (all P < 0.05). In conclusion, aerophagia is a disorder that is diagnosed in neurologically normal males and females, who can experience prolonged symptoms. Although many children with aerophagia present with upper gastrointestinal symptoms, the disorder appears to be distinct from functional dyspepsia.