In this Article

• What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
• What is the bowel?
• What causes IBS in children?
• Who gets IBS?
• What are the symptoms of IBS in children?
• How is IBS in children diagnosed?
• How is IBS in children treated?
• What is the outlook for a child with IBS?
• Points to remember
• Hope through research
• For more information
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children Glossary
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children Index

Who gets IBS?

IBS is common in people of all ages, including children. About 14 percent of high school students and 6 percent of middle school students report IBS-like symptoms.¹

IBS affects boys and girls equally, although in adults it is more common in women than in men.

What are the symptoms of IBS in children?

The frequency and severity of IBS symptoms vary widely and may include

• abdominal pain or discomfort
  
  
• intestinal bloating
  
  
• irregular bowel habits, including diarrhea, constipation, or both
  
  
• a change in the appearance of stool, including stools that are loose, hard, thin, or pelletlike
  
  
• mucus in the stool
  
  
• the need to strain to have a bowel movement
  
  
• a sense of urgency when having a bowel movement
  
  
• the sensation of not completely emptying the bowels

How is IBS in children diagnosed?

IBS is diagnosed based on symptoms. A diagnostic manual called Rome III guides doctors in diagnosing and treating functional gastrointestinal disorders, including IBS. According to Rome III, for a child to be diagnosed with IBS, abdominal pain or discomfort must be present at least 1 day per week for a period of 2 months or longer. Two or more of the following must also occur at least 25 percent of the time:

• The pain or discomfort is relieved by having a bowel movement.
  
  
• The pain or discomfort is associated with an increase or decrease in the number of bowel movements.
  
  
• The pain or discomfort is associated with a change in the appearance of stool.

No test can show if a person has IBS; however, a doctor may run tests to rule out diseases with symptoms similar to IBS. Signs and symptoms that suggest a problem other than IBS include

• persistent pain in the upper right or lower right area of the abdomen
  
  
• difficulty swallowing
  
  
• persistent vomiting
  
  
• gastrointestinal bleeding
  
  
• waking up during the night with diarrhea or because of abdominal pain
  
  
• a family history of IBD, celiac disease, or peptic ulcer disease
  
  
• arthritis
  
  
• inflamed, pus-filled masses around the rectum, also called perirectal disease
  
  
• involuntary weight loss
  
  
• a sudden stop in height growth
  
  
• delayed puberty
  
  
• unexplained fever

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• dicyclomine, Bentyl, Byclomine, Dibent, Di-Spaz, Dilomine - Explains the medication dicyclomine (Bentyl), a drug used n the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.
• Abdominal Pain - Learn about abdominal pain (pain in the stomach / abdomen) including causes, symptoms, how abdominal pain is diagnosed, and how abdominal pain is treated.
• polyethylene glycol (peg) 3350-oral, Miralax - Consumer information about the medication POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (PEG) 3350 - ORAL (Miralax), includes side effects, drug interactions, recommended dosages, and storage information. Read more about the prescription drug POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (PEG) 3350 - ORAL.

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