ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are defined as a variable combination of chronic or recurrent gastrointestinal symptoms that are not explained by structural or biochemical abnormalities. Their relationship with prematurity has been increasingly studied. OBJECTIVE: To compare the frequency of FGIDs in preterm and term infants and to evaluate whether invasive procedures during the neonatal period in preterm infants are associated with greater likelihood of FGIDs in the first two years of life. DESIGN AND SETTING: Controlled nested cross-sectional study conducted in a Brazilian university hospital. METHODS: This was a controlled nested cross-sectional study on a retrospective cohort of infants born preterm who were compared with infants born at term regarding the presence of FGIDs. Medical consultations were conducted by a single pediatric gastroenterologist to obtain information on the gestational and neonatal periods and on clinical manifestations of the digestive tract. The Rome IV criteria for the diagnosis of FGIDs were used. RESULTS: A total of 197 infants (< 24 months), including 99 preterm and 98 term infants, were studied. Infant regurgitation was more prevalent in term infants (35.1% and 15.6%; P < 0.001). The frequencies of other FGIDs (infant colic, functional constipation, functional diarrhea and infant dyschezia) in preterm infants did not differ from those of term infants (P > 0.05). No relationship was found between invasive procedures during the neonatal period and development of FGIDs in preterm infants. CONCLUSION: Infants born preterm did not have higher frequency of FGIDs in the first two years of life.

Resumo Objetivo: Descrever os casos de dois irmãos acometidos de desnutrição proteico-calórica grave causada por abuso por privação alimentar. Descrição dos caso: Os dois pacientes vieram simultaneamente encaminhados de hospital municipal, onde estavam internados, ao Ambulatório de Gastrenterologia Pediátrica de um hospital universitário para investigação diagnóstica da causa de desnutrição grave. Foram feitos exames para pesquisa de doença celíaca, fibrose cística e enteropatia ambiental, entre outras. Os exames mostraram-se todos normais e, após investigação detalhada sobre o relacionamento dessa família, chegou-se à conclusão de que a desnutrição tinha como causa o abuso por privação alimentar. As crianças passaram cerca de 2 meses internadas, receberam uma dieta hiperproteica e hipercalórica, com recuperação nutricional significativa. Comentários: O abuso por privação alimentar, embora raro, deve sempre ser pensado como uma das causas de desnutrição infantil, deve o pediatra estar atento ao desenvolvimento da criança, bem como ao seu relacionamento familiar, para evitar consequências nutricionais e emocionais mais graves no futuro.

Abstract Objective: To describe the case of two siblings with severe protein-calorie malnutrition due to abuse by starvation. Cases description: The two patients were simultaneously referred to the Hospital Municipal, where they were admitted to the Pediatric Gastroenterology clinic of a university hospital for diagnostic investigation of the cause of severe malnutrition and screening tests for Celiac Disease, Cystic Fibrosis and Environmental enteropathy among others. The exams were all normal, and after detailed research on the interactions of this family, we reached the conclusion that the malnutrition was due to abuse by starvation. The children spent approximately two months in the hospital, receiving a high-protein and high-calorie diet, with significant nutritional recovery. Comments: Abuse by starvation, although rare, should always be considered of as one of the causes of child malnutrition and pediatrician should be aware of the child's development, as well as the family interactions, to prevent more severe nutritional and emotional consequences in the future.