{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,6]],"date-time":"2026-10-06T06:05:41Z","timestamp":1791266741655,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":44,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"3","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,21]],"date-time":"2025-01-21T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1737417600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR) at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah","award":["1130-290-2024"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["1130-290-2024"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Diagnostics"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background\/Objectives: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) affect children\u2019s daily activities and overall performance due to gastrointestinal symptoms. This study assesses the prevalence and types of FGIDs in children living in Jeddah City and its countryside. It also examines factors that contribute to the incidence of these disorders and their impact on children\u2019s lifestyles. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 285 mothers of preschool children enrolled in kindergartens during the academic year 2020\u20132021. The Rome IV Diagnostic Questionnaire was sent out online through kindergartens to be filled out by the children\u2019s mothers. The questionnaire assessed the prevalence of FGIDs subjectively through symptoms and their frequency. Results: Among the 285 participants, 9% (n = 27) fit the diagnostic criteria for FGIDs. Common FGIDs included functional constipation, 3.5% (n = 10); postprandial distress syndrome, 2.4% (n = 7); functional abdominal pain\u2014not otherwise specified, 1% (n = 3); and functional epigastric pain, 0.7% (n = 2). Significant risk factors for developing FGIDs among the children in the sample included being a preterm baby (p &lt; 0.01), being previously diagnosed with a gastrointestinal condition (p &lt; 0.010), having a family history of diarrhea or nausea and vomiting (p &lt; 0.001 and p &lt; 0.01, respectively), skipping lunch at kindergarten (p &lt; 0.01), and having pre-existing food allergies (p &lt; 0.01). Conclusions: FGIDs were prevalent among 9% of children in Jeddah City and its countryside. Functional constipation was the most common disorder. Factors associated with FGIDs in children included preterm birth, being previously diagnosed with a GI condition, a family history of gastrointestinal conditions, irregular eating habits, and food allergies.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/diagnostics15030242","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,21]],"date-time":"2025-01-21T11:47:32Z","timestamp":1737460052000},"page":"242","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":4,"title":["Prevalence of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders and Associated Risk Factors Among Preschool Children in the City of Jeddah and Surrounding Areas: A Cross-Sectional Study"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"15","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9994-8250","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Mai A.","family":"Khatib","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia"},{"name":"Food, Nutrition, and Lifestyle Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia"},{"name":"Obesity and Lifestyle Unit, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia"},{"name":"Saudi Diabetes Research Group, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0787-1875","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Elham A.","family":"Aljaaly","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia"},{"name":"Medical Nutrition Therapy Unit, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4331-6537","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Eram","family":"Albajri","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia"},{"name":"Obesity and Lifestyle Unit, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Nahlaa A.","family":"Khalifa","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Respiratory Therapy, Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Saleh","family":"Khateeb","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences, Jeddah 23323, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0996-1484","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Sarah M.","family":"Ajabnoor","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia"},{"name":"Food, Nutrition, and Lifestyle Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Daniah","family":"Radhwan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Khawlah","family":"Aljohani","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Aisha Y.","family":"Hussein","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,21]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1377","DOI":"10.1053\/j.gastro.2006.03.008","article-title":"The functional gastrointestinal disorders and the Rome III process","volume":"130","author":"Drossman","year":"2006","journal-title":"Gastroenterology"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2082029","DOI":"10.1080\/19932820.2022.2082029","article-title":"Prevalence and risk factors of functional gastrointestinal disorders in early period medical students: A pilot study in Tunisia","volume":"17","author":"Gallas","year":"2022","journal-title":"Libyan J. 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