This clearly written and practical book defeines, classifies and provides treatment recommendations for the commonly recognized, yet poorly understood, pediatric functional bowel disorders. In addition, and for the first time, the authors propose symptom-based criteria developed by expert consensus to be used in research and clinical practice. It is expected that, in due time, these criteria will be validated and will achieve greater acceptance by the international academic community.

Using a structured format (ie, definition, epidemiology, diagnostic criteria, clinical evaluation, physiologic/psychologic features, and approach to treatment), each chapter offers a complete perspective of the most common and clinically important pediatric functional GI disorders: infant regurgitation, cyclic vomiting, toddler's diarrhea, constipation, and pelvic floor syndromes and, finally, the painful functional GI disorders (eg, IBS, chronic abdominal pain, and functional dyspepsia) so commonly seen among our adult patients. Additional information is provided on the pathophysiology of visceral pain , the psychosocial aspects of pain-associated disability, and the possible influences and/or contribution of childhood functional bowel disorders in adulthood -- a question that has been most difficult to answer.

For those of you in pediatric gastroenterology or primary care, this book should be a welcome collection of information about the diagnosis and care of patients with these disorders; it is not likely to be found elsewhere. For those in adult practice, the book provides a new understanding of these common but elusive conditions. Finally, to those of us involved in the Rome Committee classification process, we welcome you to the challenges and rewards of bringing order and relevance to a group of disorders heretofore so difficult to categorize.