Inadequate fetal growth linked to irritable bowel

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Findings from a new study suggest that babies whose growth in the womb is restricted, perhaps because of pregnancy complications, are particularly susceptible to the development of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) later in life.

The study, which is reported in the medical journal Gut, involved 12,700 Norwegian twins, born between 1967 and 1979, who completed a disease questionnaire that included IBS.

Dr. May-Bente Bengston at the University of Oslo and colleagues found that genetic factors appeared to contribute to IBS in females to a greater extent than in males. Also, pairs of identical twins were more likely to both have the condition than pairs of fraternal twins.

Compared with a birth weight of 2500 grams or more, weighing less than 1500 grams at birth was linked to a 2.4-fold increased risk of IBS in adulthood. Moreover, the disease appeared about 8 years earlier in lower weight groups than in higher weight groups.

"These results may suggest a new classification of patients into subgroups based on age at onset of symptoms, sex, familial resemblance, and birth weight, to improve our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of IBS," the researchers conclude.

SOURCE: Gut, online September 28, 2006.