JOURNAL OF PSYCHOSOMATIC RESEARCH, vol.137, 2020 (SCI-Expanded)
Objective: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders among the pediatric population. Recently, neurotrophins have been suggested to be etiological factors or causes of symptoms of IBS. In the present study, the aim was to research the serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and proBDNF levels in children with IBS. Methods: The study group was selected from pediatric gastroenterology outpatient clinic and control group was recruited from healthy children outpatient clinic. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 29 children with IBS and 55 healthy children were included in the study. The data were obtained from all participants, and if needed, from their parents. All participants were assessed in terms of anthropometric measurements. The serum (BDNF) and proBDNF levels were compared between the groups.