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Autonomic nervous system function in young children with functional abdominal pain or irritable bowel syndrome

Monica Jarrett1, Margaret Heitkemper, Danita Czyzewski

  • 1Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.

The Journal of Pain
|April 24, 2012
PubMed

Insights

In children with functional abdominal pain (FAP) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), vagal activity did not differ from healthy children. However, higher psychological distress was observed in FAP/IBS girls, with a potential inverse link to vagal activity.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Autonomic Nervous System Research
  • Child Psychology

Background:

  • Adults with IBS show altered autonomic nervous system (ANS) function, specifically vagal activity.
  • It remains unknown if similar ANS alterations are present in children with functional abdominal pain (FAP) or IBS.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare vagal activity and sympathovagal balance in children with FAP/IBS versus healthy children (HC).
  • To explore the relationship between vagal activity, psychological distress, and stool type in pediatric FAP/IBS.
  • To investigate potential sex differences in these relationships.

Main Methods:

  • Compared 7-10 year old children with FAP/IBS (n=100) to HC (n=62).
  • Assessed vagal activity using 24-hour Holter monitoring.
  • Utilized questionnaires and a 2-week pain/stool diary to measure psychological distress and stool type.
  • Controlled for age and body mass index in group comparisons.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in vagal activity or sympathovagal balance were found between FAP/IBS children and HC.
  • Children with FAP/IBS reported higher psychological distress than HC, particularly girls.
  • Exploratory analysis indicated a potential inverse correlation between vagal activity and psychological distress in FAP/IBS girls, but not boys.

Conclusions:

  • Prepubertal girls with FAP/IBS may exhibit a relationship between emotional state and vagal activity, unlike boys.
  • Findings contrast with adult IBS studies, possibly due to age or symptom duration differences.
Abstract

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