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. 2012 Jul;18(3):298-304.
doi: 10.5056/jnm.2012.18.3.298. Epub 2012 Jul 10.

Subtypes and Symptomatology of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children and Adolescents: A School-based Survey Using Rome III Criteria

Shaman Rajindrajith  1 , Niranga M Devanarayana
Affiliations

Subtypes and Symptomatology of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children and Adolescents: A School-based Survey Using Rome III Criteria

Shaman Rajindrajith et al. J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2012 Jul.

Abstract

Background/aims: This study was conducted with objectives of assessing subtypes of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in children aged 10-16 years, their symptomatology and gender differences.

Methods: For this survey, 107 children who fulfilled Rome III criteria for IBS and 1,610 healthy controls were recruited from 8 randomly selected schools, in 4 provinces in Sri Lanka. Data was collected using a previously validated, self administered questionnaire.

Results: Constipation predominant, diarrhea predominant and mixed type IBS were almost equally distributed (27%-28%), while unsubtyped IBS had a lower prevalence (17.8%). IBS was more common in girls (59.8% vs 40.2% in boys, P = 0.001). Bloating, flatulence, burping, headache and limb pain were significantly higher in affected children (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: This study highlights the distribution of IBS subtypes among Sri Lankan children and adolescents and its female preponderance. This study also shows a higher prevalence of other intestinal-related and extraintestinal somatic symptoms among affected children.

Keywords: Adolescent; Child; Gastrointestinal disorder; Habits; Irritable bowel syndrome.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: None.

Figures

Figure
Figure
Mean predicted probabilities of irritable bowel syndrome according to age and sex. *P < 0.01, Girls vs boys (unpaired t test).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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