Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 20, 2026

Irritable Bowel Syndrome I: Introduction
01:17

Irritable Bowel Syndrome I: Introduction

938

Is fecal calprotectin always normal in children with irritable bowel syndrome?

You Jin Choi1, Su Jin Jeong2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang, Korea.

Intestinal Research
|August 31, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Fecal calprotectin (FC) levels are higher in children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) compared to healthy controls. These levels vary significantly among IBS subtypes, suggesting low-grade bowel inflammation in pediatric IBS.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research
  • Gastrointestinal Health

Background:

  • Fecal calprotectin (FC) is a recognized biomarker for intestinal inflammation.
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) pathophysiology may involve intraluminal intestinal inflammation.
  • Evaluating FC levels in pediatric IBS is crucial for understanding disease mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess fecal calprotectin (FC) levels in children diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
  • To compare FC levels between children with IBS and healthy controls (HCs).
  • To investigate differences in FC levels across various pediatric IBS subtypes.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study including 157 children with IBS and 56 HCs (ages 4-16).
  • IBS diagnosis based on Rome III criteria, with subtypes: IBS with constipation (IBS-C), IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D), IBS with alternating constipation and diarrhea (IBS-M), and IBS unsubtyped (IBS-U).
  • Fecal calprotectin (FC) concentration measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Main Results:

  • Children with IBS exhibited significantly elevated FC levels (88.71 μg/g) compared to HCs (17.77 μg/g).
  • FC concentrations varied significantly among IBS subtypes: highest in IBS-D (169.94 μg/g), followed by IBS-M (45.04 μg/g), IBS-C (31.22 μg/g), and IBS-U (33.52 μg/g).
  • Postinfectious IBS (PI-IBS) cases were predominantly categorized within the IBS-D group (90%).

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric IBS is associated with significantly higher fecal calprotectin (FC) levels than in healthy children.
  • FC levels differ notably across IBS subtypes, reinforcing the concept of low-grade bowel inflammation in IBS.
  • Findings support FC as a valuable marker for assessing inflammation in pediatric IBS.
Abstract

Keywords:
CalprotectinChildhoodIrritable bowel syndromePostinfectious irritable bowel syndrome

More Related Videos

Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation01:30

Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation

741
Irritable Bowel Syndrome III: Medical and Nursing Management01:30

Irritable Bowel Syndrome III: Medical and Nursing Management

654

Related Concept Videos

Irritable Bowel Syndrome I: Introduction01:17

Irritable Bowel Syndrome I: Introduction

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is characterized by functional disturbances in the gastrointestinal system, presenting a cluster of symptoms without evident structural or biochemical abnormalities. It primarily affects the large intestine and may cause abdominal pain, bloating, excessive gas, diarrhea, constipation, or both.
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...
938
Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation01:30

Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation

Irritable 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:
741
Irritable Bowel Syndrome III: Medical and Nursing Management01:30

Irritable Bowel Syndrome III: Medical and Nursing Management

Managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) involves a multifaceted approach, including lifestyle modifications, dietary changes, and medication.
654
Perturbations of Circulating miRNAs in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Detected Using a Multiplexed High-throughput Gene Expression Platform10:37

Perturbations of Circulating miRNAs in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Detected Using a Multiplexed High-throughput Gene Expression Platform

We describe the use of a multiplexed high-throughput gene expression platform that quantitates gene expression by barcoding and counting molecules in biological substrates without the need for amplification. We used the platform to quantitate microRNA (miRNA) expression in whole blood in subjects with and without irritable bowel syndrome.
8.7K
Eye Irritation Test (EIT) for Hazard Identification of Eye Irritating Chemicals using Reconstructed Human Cornea-like Epithelial (RhCE) Tissue Model10:13

Eye Irritation Test (EIT) for Hazard Identification of Eye Irritating Chemicals using Reconstructed Human Cornea-like Epithelial (RhCE) Tissue Model

We have developed an eye irritation test which utilizes a three dimensional reconstructed human cornea-like epithelial (RhCE) tissue model. The test is able to discriminate between ocular irritant and corrosive materials (GHS Categories 1 and 2 combined) and those that do not require labeling (GHS No...
40.1K
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection07:06

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via colonoscopy is a safe and effective treatment for recurrent and refractory C.difficile infection. A systematic approach to patient and donor screening, preparation of stool, and delivery of the stool during the colonoscopy will maximize therapeutic...
27.7K