Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can cause a variety of symptoms. Children with the condition may feel that they have difficulty finishing when they defecate. Or, the child may feel like gas is trapped inside them and unable to come out. In other cases, children may experience diarrhea that occurs suddenly.

Symptoms commonly occur after eating or when the child is under stress. Symptoms may vary among children and can range from mild to severe in intensity. Children with IBS often have more sensitive bowels, so they may feel intense pain in situations that would cause little or no discomfort in children who do not have IBS.

Some of the symptoms associated with IBS – such as cramps and diarrhea – are common, and do not necessarily indicate the presence of IBS. Typically, children with IBS have pain and discomfort that is associated with at least two of the following over a period of at least three months:

• Relief from symptoms after having bowel movements
• Changes in how often a child needs to defecate
• Changes in the appearance of a child’s stool, such as hardened stool or diarrhea

Other symptoms of IBS include:

• Abdominal pain. Abdominal pain or cramping associated with bowel functioning is the most common symptom of IBS. Stress and eating may worsen the pain, which usually occurs in the lower left side of the abdomen. The pain is often alleviated by having a bowel movement.
  
  
• Diarrhea. Loose, watery stool. Bowel movements most often occur after eating or upon awakening. Diarrhea is usually preceded by a sense of urgency and may be followed by a sensation of incomplete defecation. Soiling may occur as a result of diarrhea.
  
  
• Constipation. Difficulty or straining during a bowel movement, usually involving hard, pellet-shaped stool. Constipation may last days to months in children with IBS. It is occasionally accompanied by a feeling of incomplete defecation, even when the rectum is empty. Mucus may appear in the stool.
  
  
• Bloating. Gas buildup in the intestines, which can create a sense of increasing pressure in the abdomen. Children with IBS may experience a swollen or distended abdomen as a result of bloating, as well as an early feeling of fullness when eating. Gas can stretch the bowel and cause cramping or abdominal pain in children with IBS.  Belching may also occur.
  
  
• Other digestive problems. Other symptoms that can be experienced by children with IBS include indigestion (including heartburn and nausea) and difficulty swallowing. However, these symptoms may be a symptom of another gastrointestinal problem and are not attributed to IBS unless other conditions are excluded.

Children with IBS may also experience headache and signs of weight loss as a result of a fear of eating (due to the symptoms eating may trigger). Some studies also indicate that children with IBS are at greater risk for depression and anxiety.