Excessive air swallowing causing abdominal distension; ≥2 months.
The Rome IV — Aerophagia is a GI & Liver scoring tool used in paediatric practice. Excessive air swallowing causing abdominal distension; ≥2 months. It scores 4 criteria and interprets the total across 2 bands, so the number always arrives with the severity it implies rather than on its own. In PediAid each criterion is shown as a labelled option with the weight it carries, so the total can be checked rather than taken on trust.
4. They are Excessive air swallowing; Abdominal distension due to intraluminal air which increases during the day; Repetitive belching and/or increased flatus; Not fully explained by another medical condition.
The total is interpreted as: any score - Criteria not met: at least two of the first three features plus exclusion of other conditions are required; 3 criteria or more - Criteria met: rome IV aerophagia. Common in children with neurodevelopmental disability; address behavioural triggers and consider speech/feeding therapy.
No. It is a structured way to record and communicate severity. A clinician concerned about a child should act on that concern regardless of the total.
Source: Hyams JS et al. Rome IV - Functional disorders: children and adolescents. Gastroenterology 2016;150:1456-68.
Yes. Score definitions are bundled with the PediAid app, so the score computes without a connection.