Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 15, 2026
Chronic Salmonella Infection Induced Intestinal Fibrosis
Published on: September 22, 2019
Childhood Irritable Bowel Syndrome Characteristics Are Related to Both Sex and Pubertal Development
Bruno P Chumpitazi1, Erica M Weidler2, Danita I Czyzewski3
1Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
Insights
Pubertal development and sex impact childhood irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. Girls with advanced puberty reported less pain, while boys experienced increased pain. Sex also influenced stool form and somatic complaints in pediatric IBS patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric gastroenterology
- Developmental psychology
- Clinical epidemiology
Background:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder in children.
- The influence of pubertal development and sex on IBS clinical characteristics is not fully understood.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for diagnosing and managing pediatric IBS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between pubertal development, sex, and clinical features of childhood IBS.
- To examine associations with gastrointestinal symptoms, specifically abdominal pain, and psychological factors.
- To provide insights into the transition from childhood to adult IBS.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 143 children (ages 7-17) diagnosed with pediatric IBS.
- Data collection included 14-day prospective pain and stool diaries.
- Validated questionnaires assessed psychological factors (somatization, depression, anxiety) and Tanner stage; stool form was rated using the Bristol Stool Form Scale.
Main Results:
- In girls, higher Tanner scores correlated with decreased abdominal pain severity and interference.
- In boys, higher Tanner scores were associated with increased abdominal pain severity and interference.
- Girls exhibited more somatic complaints and a higher prevalence of hard stools (Bristol Stool Form Scale types 1 or 2) compared to boys, irrespective of pubertal status.
Conclusions:
- Pubertal development and sex are significantly associated with abdominal pain severity, stool form, and somatization in children with IBS.
- These findings highlight the differential impact of puberty and sex on IBS presentation in children.
- The study offers valuable insights into how pubertal maturation influences the development and manifestation of IBS from childhood to adulthood.
Objective:
To determine the relationship of both pubertal development and sex to childhood irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) clinical characteristics including gastrointestinal symptoms (eg, abdominal pain) and psychological factors.
Study Design:
Cross-sectional study with children ages 7-17 years (n = 143) with a pediatric Rome III IBS diagnosis recruited from both primary and tertiary clinics between January 2009 and January 2014. Subjects completed 14-day prospective pain and stool diaries, as well as validated questionnaires assessing several psychological factors (somatization, depression, anxiety) and Tanner stage. Stool form ratings were completed using the Bristol Stool Form Scale.
Results:
Girls with higher Tanner scores (more mature pubertal development) had both decreased pain severity and pain interference; in contrast, boys with higher Tanner scores had both increasing pain severity (β = 0.40, P = .02) and pain interference (β = 0.16, P = .02). Girls (vs boys), irrespective of pubertal status, had both increased somatic complaints (P = .005) and a higher percentage (P = .01) of hard (Bristol Stool Form Scale type 1 or 2) stools. Pubertal status and sex did not significantly relate to IBS subtype, pain frequency, stooling frequency, anxiety, or depression.
Conclusions:
In children with IBS, both pubertal development and/or sex are associated with abdominal pain severity, stool form, and somatization. These differences provide insight into the role of pubertal maturation during the transition from childhood to adult IBS.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:17Irritable Bowel Syndrome I: Introduction
IBS is a chronic condition that can persist over a long period or recur frequently.
The pathogenesis of IBS involves a complex interplay of the following factors:
Altered...
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:
01:26Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Anal
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
01:27Signs of Puberty
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome III: Medical and Nursing Management