Irritable bowel syndrome in children: pathogenetic significance of disorders of intestinal microbiota

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common functional disorder of the intestine in children. In recent years, IBS has been defined as functional pathology of the intestine, manifested by visceral recurrent pain that occurs at least once per week, characterized by the following two or more signs: associated with defecation; with changes in the frequency and shape of stools. These symptoms had to be noted in the patient for the last 3 months, with a total duration of at least 6 months, without signs of organic damage to the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The gut microbiota is of particular importance in the pathogenesis of IBS. In patients with IBS, an increase in Enterobacteriaceae, Ruminococcus, Clostridium, Dorea species and a decrease in the number of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium species were found. At the same time, a similar microbial profile was found in patients with different subtypes of IBS. The established patterns of changes in the composition of the microbiota in IBS in children and adults indicate IBS and functional disorders of the GIT to have a pronounced microbial pathogenesis. In this regard, the personalized use of prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation can effectively affect the intestinal microbiome in IBS. 
 Conclusion. Correction of disorders of intestinal microbiota is the most important method of treating IBS in children. Determining the patterns of formation of changes in the intestinal microbiome in IBS children creates new opportunities for improving methods of their correction.