ЗНАЧЕННЯ ВИКОРИСТАННЯ ЛЛЯНОГО ШРОТУ У ВИРІШЕННІ ПРОБЛЕМ ТРАВНОЇ СИСТЕМИ У ДІТЕЙ

Diseases of the digestive system in children rank among the leading pathologies of organs and systems in terms of social significance. In recent years, the prevalence of chronic gastrointestinal disorders in children has significantly increased. In Ukraine, the incidence of chronic digestive diseases exceeds 100 cases per 1,000 children. Stomach diseases remain a serious medical and social challenge, being difficult to diagnose and negatively impacting children’s growth and development. Therefore, the issue of timely diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases of the digestive system, whether of functional or organic origin, is highly relevant and necessitates the exploration of differentiated therapeutic approaches.The study aims to investigate the role and effectiveness of fibre (flaxseed meal) in the complex therapy of digestive diseases in children, as well as to optimize the treatment of children with functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome by incorporating plant-based therapeutic and prophylactic products (specifically, flaxseed meal) into their diet.Materials and Methods. The study involved an analysis of clinical symptoms in children aged 8–14 years diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and functional dyspepsia, following the inclusion of flaxseed meal in their complex therapy. Medical records of affected children were also reviewed.Results. The diet of a modern child typically consists of refined products with a low content of dietary fibre. While the recommended daily fibre intake is up to 30 g, actual consumption often reaches only 10 g per day. Flaxseed meal exhibits enveloping and anti-inflammatory effects, along with pronounced sorption, detoxifying, complexing, antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic, and hypolipidemic properties. It improves bile flow, restores vitamin and mineral balance, and normalizes disrupted intestinal flora. The use of flaxseed meal reduces the need for polypharmacy in treating constipation, as children perceive it as food rather than medicine when consumed with liquids or ready-made products. Additionally, its affordability compared to other laxatives represents a significant economic advantage. Incorporating flaxseed meal into the complex therapy of functional constipation in children normalizes stool patterns and alleviates syndromes and symptoms associated with chronic constipation. In children with functional dyspepsia, the addition of flaxseed meal to the diet reduces pain and dyspeptic symptoms, thereby improving their quality of life.Conclusions. Flaxseed meal, as a rich source of fibre, offers significant advantages over similar preparations due to its high content of essential nutrients, including lignans, omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Its use in the complex treatment of functional dyspepsia in children demonstrates a positive effect, attributed to the so-called alginate effect, which promotes mucus formation in the gastric lumen.