Gastrointestinal disorder
Pediatrics Area 2024/2025
Prepared by: under supervision
- Abdelrahman Abdalla Mahmoud prof Dr Eman Abd El fatah
- Abdelrahman Tharwat Tawfiq Dr Fatma Mohammed
- Abdelrahman Saad Mohamed Dr Rahma Elsayed
- Abdelrahman Ramadan Kamel Dr Amira khalil
- Abdelrahman Said Mostafa Dr Ashgan Nage
Dr Wafaa Sayed
Objectives
-To provide an in-depth understanding of gastrointestinal disorders.
-To identify and describe the signs and symptoms of common gastrointestinal disorders.
-To explore the underlying causes and risk factors for these conditions.
-To outline various diagnostic methods used in identifying gastrointestinal disorders.
-To discuss potential complications and preventive measures.
-To highlight the nursing role in managing and caring for patients with gastrointestinal
disorders.
-To present a comprehensive nursing care plan for effective patient management.
Outlines
-Introduction
-Definition
-Causes and risk factors
-Signs and symptoms
-Complications
-Diagnostic measures
-Medical management
-Nursing care plan
-References
Introduction
Pediatric gastrointestinal disorders are frequently encountered in children and
adolescents and often manifest with symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, and
vomiting. These disorders cover a wide spectrum of conditions that disrupt the normal
functioning of the digestive system, potentially impairing processes such as digestion,
nutrient absorption, and waste elimination. While many cases are mild to moderate,
some conditions—such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and gastrointestinal
cancers—can be severe and require prompt diagnosis and management.
Definition
Gastrointestinal disorders refer to a range of health conditions that affect the
gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines,
rectum, and accessory organs like the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder. These disorders
can compromise the normal processes of food ingestion, digestion, absorption, and
excretion. Common examples include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable
bowel syndrome (IBS), and Crohn’s disease.
Causes and risk factors
- Causes
- Infections: Viruses (Rotavirus), Bacteria (E. coli, H. pylori), Parasites (Giardia).
- Food Issues: Allergies (milk, wheat), Intolerances (lactose, gluten).
- Autoimmune/Inflammatory: IBD (Crohn’s, Ulcerative colitis), Celiac disease.
- Motility Disorders: Constipation, GERD, IBS.
- Structural Abnormalities: Pyloric stenosis, Hirschsprung’s disease.
- Risk Factors
- Genetics: Family history of GIT diseases.
- Diet & Lifestyle: Low fiber, high fat, dehydration.
- Psychological: Stress, anxiety.
- Medications: Antibiotics, NSAIDs.
- Prematurity: Increased risk of intestinal issues.
Signs and symptoms
Abdominal Pain: Persistent or intermittent pain, often associated with
eating
Bloating and Gas: A feeling of fullness or discomfort in the abdomen
Nausea and Vomiting: Common in conditions like gastritis or
gallbladder disease�
Diarrhea or Constipation: Changes in bowel habits, often seen in IBS
and infections�
Heartburn: A burning sensation in the chest due to acid reflux
Blood in Stool or Vomit: Indicative of bleeding in the gastrointestinal
tract
Unexplained Weight Loss: Common in chronic conditions like IBD or
cancer
complication
1-Malnutrition
2-Dehydration
3-Intestinal Obstruction
4-Chronic Inflammation & Organ Damage
5-Psychosocial Effects
6-Gastrointestinal Bleeding
7-Liver Complications
8-perforation
9-cancer
Diagnostic Measures
- Medical History & Physical Exam: Assess symptoms (pain, vomiting, diarrhea,
constipation).
- Lab Tests: Blood tests (infection, anemia), stool tests (infections, hidden blood).
- Imaging: X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan for
structural issues.
- Endoscopy & Colonoscopy: To check the
digestive tract.
- Breath Tests: For lactose intolerance or
bacterial overgrowth.
Medical management
- Lifestyle modifications: Dietary adjustments, increased fluids, and feeding
techniques.
Medications:
- Acid suppression: PPIs (e.g., Omeprazole) for GERD, H2 blockers (e.g.,
Famotidine).
- Antibiotics: For bacterial infections (e.g., Azithromycin for Shigella).
- Probiotics & Zinc: For diarrhea management.
- Laxatives: Polyethylene glycol or lactulose for constipation.
- Corticosteroids & Immunomodulators: For inflammatory conditions (e.g., Crohn’s,
UC).
- Hydration therapy: ORS for mild dehydration, IV fluids for severe cases.
- Surgical intervention: If medical treatment fails (e.g., Hirschsprung’s disease,
intussusception).
Nursing Care Plan
Nursing Diagnosis Goal Nursing Interventions Evaluation
- Track daily weight.- Monitor
intake and output.- Encourage
small, frequent meals to reduce
Imbalanced vomiting and promote tolerance.-
The child will
Nutrition: Less than Provide high-calorie or nutrient-
maintain adequate The child
Body Requirements dense supplements as prescribed.-
nutrition and maintained
related to vomiting, Teach parents about appropriate
demonstrate weight adequate nutrition.
diarrhea, or poor dietary modifications, such as
stabilization or gain.
intake. avoiding fatty or spicy foods.-
Administer antiemetics or
nutritional supplements as
prescribed.
- Assess pain level, severity, and
location.- Apply warm
compresses.- Put child in a
comfortable position.- Administer
Acute Pain related The child will report
prescribed analgesics or The child reported
to abdominal a reduction in pain
antispasmodic medications.- decreased pain
cramping or and demonstrate
Encourage easily digestible foods level.
inflammation. improved comfort.
to reduce gastrointestinal irritation.-
Teach parents pain management
techniques and how to monitor for
worsening symptoms.
- Track height, weight, and BMI
Risk for Altered regularly.- Provide high-calorie,
The child will
Growth and high-protein diets or supplements.- The child achieved
achieve appropriate
Development Encourage age-appropriate physical probable growth
growth milestones
related to chronic activity for healthy development.- milestones for his
for age and
GIT disorders and Teach parents about balanced age.
condition.
malnutrition. nutrition and the importance of
developmental monitoring.
- Allow the child and parents to
The child and express fears and concerns.- Use
The child and
parents will age-appropriate language to explain
parents showed a
demonstrate reduced treatments and procedures.-
Anxiety related to decrease in anxiety
anxiety and Encourage parents to stay with the
hospitalization or levels and are able
improved coping child whenever possible.- Use toys,
medical procedures. to demonstrate
mechanisms, and music, or videos to provide comfort
coping
the anxiety levels during procedures.- Offer
mechanisms.
will decrease. reassurance and praise for
cooperation.
