title: Subtypes and Symptomatology of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children and Adolescents: A School-based Survey Using Rome III Criteria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted with objectives of assessing subtypes of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in children aged 10-16 years, their symptomatology and gender differences.
  
  
  METHODS
  For this survey, 107 children who fulfilled Rome III criteria for IBS and 1,610 healthy controls were recruited from 8 randomly selected schools, in 4 provinces in Sri Lanka. Data was collected using a previously validated, self administered questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Constipation predominant, diarrhea predominant and mixed type IBS were almost equally distributed (27%-28%), while unsubtyped IBS had a lower prevalence (17.8%). IBS was more common in girls (59.8% vs 40.2% in boys, P = 0.001). Bloating, flatulence, burping, headache and limb pain were significantly higher in affected children (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study highlights the distribution of IBS subtypes among Sri Lankan children and adolescents and its female preponderance. This study also shows a higher prevalence of other intestinal-related and extraintestinal somatic symptoms among affected children.
authors: Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka.
authors: Shaman
authors: S
authors: Rajindrajith
authors: Niranga M
authors: NM
authors: Devanarayana