Objectives:The Brussels Infants and Toddlers Stool Scale (BITSS) was developed for the assessment of stool consistency in non-toilet-trained children. This study aimed to (1) investigate the intra-rater reliability of the BITSS among health care professionals (HCPs) and caregivers (CGs);(2) study a potential learning curve; (3) explore the impact of photo quality on intra-rater reliability. Methods: Photos of diapers containing stool were assessed twice by 4 HCP (2432 photos) and 8 CGs (492 photos) using the BITTS. Intra-rater reliability was calculated by the percentage of exact agreement and a κ-value. A learning effect and the impact of photo quality was explored using mixed linear model and generalized estimating equations. Results: HCPs generated 24,320 stool consistency ratings: 12.1% were scored as watery, 31.0% loose, 29.4% formed, and 27.6% hard. CGs performed 7872 ratings: 9.2% classified as watery, 34.6% loose, 28.9% formed, and 27.3% hard. Intra-rater reliability (κ) for HCPs ranged from 0.64 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.61-0.66] to 0.78 (95% CI = 0.76-0.80) and from 0.68 (95% CI = 0.63-0.73) to 0.94 (95% CI = 0.91-0.97) in the CG group. Both groups had <1% improvement in the odds of identical classification per 50 photos. The percentage of absolute agreement was higher in photos rated as good quality than those that were not (HCPs: 80.3% vs 69.5%, P < 0.001; CGs: 90.4% vs 86.3%, P < 0.001). Conclusions:The BITSS has an excellent intra-rater reliability for the stool consistency scoring of photographs of stools in diapers, but can be influenced by photo quality. A clinically meaningless learning effect was found.
Aim This paper discusses the risk factors and management of paediatric irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with a focus on the role of the gastrointestinal microbiome. Methods English articles of interest published in PubMed and Google Scholar were searched using subject heading and keywords of interest. Results Only few randomised controlled trials on the management of IBS in children have been published. The vast majority of these intervention trials target to change the composition of the gastrointestinal microbiome. Most studies are underpowered. Major heterogeneities in study designs such as differences in inclusion criteria, including patients with different pain‐related functional gastrointestinal disorders and differences in primary outcomes, make it impossible to formulate recommendations. Overall, few adverse events are reported what could indicate safety or point to suboptimal conduction of clinical trials and safety reporting. However, it can also not be excluded that some interventions such as the administration of selected probiotic products may result in benefit. Conclusion There is insufficient evidence to recommend any therapeutic intervention in paediatric IBS, including manipulation of the gastrointestinal tract microbiome, despite the evidence that dysbiosis seems an associated pathophysiologic factor. More designed prospective trials are needed since IBS is not a rare condition during childhood.
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