J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2021 Jan 28. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000003059.Online ahead of print.

Yinan Fu ¹, Ron Thomas, Kristen Cares

Author information

• ¹Department of Pediatrics Children's Research Center Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, Michigan.

Abstract

The influence of family history on children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is unknown. We conducted a retrospective study to compare the clinical profile and management differences between children with a family history of IBS (FH-IBS) versus without. A total of 251 children were included in the study, 75 (30%) had FH-IBS and 176 (70%) did not. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in sex composition, age at initial visit, age of IBS diagnosis, dietary modifications, supplements, laxatives, antispasmodics, antidiarrheals and cyproheptadine use. However, children with FH-IBS were more like to have psychological comorbidities (41% vs 23%, p = 0.003), and were more likely to receive psychological counseling (49% vs 23%, p < 0.001) and antidepressant treatment (36% vs 15%, p < 0.001) versus children without. We concluded that children with FH-IBS are more likely to have underlying psychological disorders and receive psychological interventions.