Overview
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain associated with defecation or a change in bowel habits. In children, it is a common cause of chronic abdominal pain and can significantly impact quality of life.Diagnosis
Diagnosis is typically based on symptom-based criteria, such as the Rome criteria, in the absence of alarm features 1.
Anorectal manometry (ARM) is a diagnostic tool used to assess anorectal function in children with chronic constipation and fecal incontinence 1.
ARM is most commonly used in patients with organic conditions (65%) compared to functional constipation (41%) 1.
Key parameters assessed with ARM include the rectoanal inhibitory reflex (87%) and anal resting pressure (73%) 1.
ARM can be performed awake in almost half of pediatric patients 1.Management
Management strategies for pediatric IBS are often tailored to symptom presentation and may include dietary modifications, stress management, and pharmacologic interventions.
Specific pharmacologic agents and dosages are not detailed in the provided abstracts.Special Populations
Anorectal manometry is utilized in pediatric patients, with studies including participants from birth to 18 years of age 1.Key Recommendations
Anorectal manometry is a recognized technique to assess anorectal function in pediatric patients with chronic constipation and functional/structural fecal incontinence 1.
There is significant variation in the use and protocols of anorectal manometry in pediatric settings, highlighting a need for standardization 1.
Anorectal manometry parameters most frequently assessed in pediatric studies include the rectoanal inhibitory reflex and anal resting pressure 1.References
1 Yates G, Friedmacher F, Cleeve S, Athanasakos E. Anorectal manometry in pediatric settings: A systematic review of 227 studies. Neurogastroenterology and motility 2021. link