Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS used to be considered a disease of adults. However, nowadays it is increasingly seen in children also.

Children as young as four years of age can also be diagnosed with the condition, which has increased significantly over the last decade. Estimates suggest that IBS affects 5% to 15% of children and adolescents.

IBS is a functional disorder in which the gut-brain axis becomes dysregulated. Bidirectional communication errors between the two systems lead to a range of gastrointestinal symptoms in children.

Some common symptoms seen in children with IBS include abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, flatulence, mucus in the stool and nausea.