Management of functional abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome in children and adolescents

Abstract

Functional abdominal pain (FAP) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are among the most commonly diagnosed medical problems in pediatrics. Symptom-based Rome III criteria for FAP and IBS have been validated and help the clinician in making a positive diagnosis. The majority of patients with mild complaints improve with reassurance and time. For a distinct subset of patients with more severe and disabling illness, finding effective treatment for these disorders remains a challenge. Over the years, a wide range of therapies have been proposed and studied. The lack of a single, proven intervention highlights the complex interplay of biopsychosocial factors probably involved in the development of childhood FAP and IBS, and the need for a multidisciplinary, integrated approach. This article reviews the current literature on the efficacy of pharmacologic, dietary and psychosocial interventions for FAP and IBS in children and adolescents.

Keywords::

• children
• cognitive–behavioral therapy
• dietary therapy
• functional abdominal pain
• irritable bowel syndrome
• pharmacotherapy
• psychosocial intervention
• recurrent abdominal pain

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors deny any conflict of interest or financial support from industry. This work was funded in part by NIH T32DK007477-25 and NIH K24 DK082792A grants. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Notes

Data from [4].