Hi,

I just wondered whether any of you have young children who have had stomach problems who have subsequently been diagnosed with IBS? By young, I mean children as young as 3 years or younger.

When they were diagnosed as having IBS, was your doc able to tell you the cause at all?

Thanks for your insights.


Sarah

No one knows the cause of IBS so although children can have IBS, a doctor wouldn't know the cause.

Yes, I know the cause of IBS is not known. I phrased the question wrongly. What I really meant was, when they were diagnosed, did the docs have any insight as to why a child that young would suddenly be given a diagnosis of IBS?

A couple of links on IBS and stomach disorders:

IBS:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/irritablebowelsyndrome.html


Stomach Disorders:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/stomachdisorders.html

I have a niece and nephew who had gastric problems since birth. Turned out both simply lack a few enzymes to digest some specific proteins. The older one [6yo] is now completely med-free but will always need to avoid a few problem foods. The younger one [3yo] is still on a restricted diet and some meds to help relieve gas, cramps, etc. Both are thriving.

In both cases, an IBS diagnosis wasn't made simply because of the severity of symptoms and their very young age when symptoms first presented. We have learned since that some enzymes are rarely tested for, therefore it is possible to obtain a false IBS dx. Basically what this means is that if the IBS diet doesn't work, time for more specific tests. Something else to consider [and research] is that IBS and some other digestive disorders can fall into the "auto-immune" category.

Good luck,
Jay

I think Sarah, that the diagnosis depends on what tests were used to make the diagnosis. As Jay said, there are several things that can be wrong with children and need to be tested for such as allergies. If the child has not had any allergey tests, I'd find the diagnosis of IBS suspicious as this should probably be the first thing looked at in such a small child.

It really depends on the symptoms. You didn't mention what led to the diagnosis of IBS. Is the child consitpated? diarrhea? all the time? sometimes? does it get better or worse? is it the same whether the child eats or not? does the child ever get hives? have asthma? rash? pain?

People with IBS don't have a special diet. I mean, some do obviously as certain food is a trigger for many with IBS but food is not the cause of IBS. So some do have to watch the food they eat and with others it doesn't matter what they eat. Sometimes it's just the act of eating that will bring on an attack, sometimes stress, sometimes no obvious reason can be found. It's different for everyone with IBS.

As I was younger I had tummy problems. Now, I am 16 and was dignosed with crohns disease when I was 13. My doctor now says I have IBS. IBS really means your intestines are fine, but the brain and stress makes you sick. I know that can't be the case in mine. I really want to get my bad intestines out and go on with my life. Does your kid have any blood in the fecal matter? Is he/she smaller and thinner then other kids? If those two are the case then I would take him/her to another gi doctor.

IBS is NOT in the mind. Just because stress - since it causes cortisone levels to rise - can trigger/ facillitate an attack does not mean that stress is the primary cause. Besides which, IBS in itself can actually trigger an emotional stress reaction by elevating certain hormones which in turn alter the neurotransmitter balance.

Because of certain events in my family, I've been reading/researching the immune system. For anyone else interested in immune theory/therapy, a good starting point is HLA [human leukocyte antigens], followed by antibodies and proteomics. The MedLinePlus database has many articles in non-technical language while emedicine has both technical and non-technical language articles.

One of the newer findings on auto-immune conditions/ illnesses - of which IBS is one - is that it tends to coincide with major horomonal events or changes/ fluctuations in balance esp. puberty, pregnancy, childbirth and menopause.

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all your help. The problem has just been found to be food intolerances, especially dairy.

Jay Tor, you seem very knowledgeable. Do you have some specific training or are you just into lots of research?


Cheers to all


Sarah

Both my education and work are in science/research, plus I've spent considerable time updating my human biology [med] knowledge since our child's diagnosis.