Abstract
Rumination syndrome is the non-purposeful regurgitation of recently ingested food from the stomach to the mouth, where it is either expelled or reswallowed. Adolescent rumination syndrome (ARS) is a rare condition of which many physicians are unaware. Patients often are misdiagnosed or undergo costly testing, and as a result, diagnosis and treatment are often delayed. While ARS is not life-threatening, it does have medical and emotional effects on the patient and the patient’s family. Diagnosis of ARS is based upon the Rome III diagnostic criteria. Antroduodenal manometry, while not required for a diagnosis, can be helpful to confirm the diagnosis. The pathogenesis of this disorder is complex and not well understood. However, because of its behavioral component, treatment of ARS requires a multidisciplinary approach that includes both medical management of symptoms and implementation of strategies that address behavioral, psychological, and general quality-of-life components of the disorder.
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Hayat M. Mousa, Mary Montgomery, and Anthony Alioto declare no conflicts of interest.
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Mousa, H.M., Montgomery, M. & Alioto, A. Adolescent Rumination Syndrome. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 16, 398 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-014-0398-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-014-0398-9