Does Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children Resolve Spontaneously?

Over 24 months, IBS resolved spontaneously in 48 of 83 children, regardless of symptomatic treatment, sex, age, or symptom severity.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in children manifests as abdominal pain and constipation (cIBS), diarrhea (dIBS), or alternating constipation and diarrhea (aIBS). To describe changes in pediatric IBS symptoms over time, researchers surveyed 83 Italian children (mean age, 11 years) at the time of IBS diagnosis and after 24 months.

Thirty-four children had cIBS, 26 had dIBS, and 23 had aIBS. Initial symptom scores were low (score 1 or 2) in 58 children and high (3 or 4) in 25. Thirty-six children were treated symptomatically with either polyethylene glycol, probiotics, or trimebutine.

Spontaneous resolution of symptoms occurred in 48 patients (58%) and did not differ by IBS subtype (c, d, or a), sex, or age. Though differences were not statistic…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Does Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children Resolve Spontaneously?

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Reviewing Author