The Developmental Origins of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objectives: The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) framework contends that chronic diseases are attributable to behavioral and environmental risks encountered during vital periods of fetal and childhood development. Clinical research investigating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) largely focuses on adult risk factors, with emerging evidence of epigenetic contributions. Limited work considers potential childhood exposures. This paper applies a life course approach to the study of IBS, exploring the available evidence to ascertain the potential developmental origins of IBS. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted adhering to MOOSE and PRISMA protocols, identifying papers from 1970 through April 2024 examining all IBS risk factors during the prenatal, postnatal, childhood, and adolescent periods. Data were extracted from screened papers and analyzed via meta-analysis using a random effects model. Results: A total of 27 case–control, cohort, and cross-sectional studies were identified for analysis. The meta-analysis revealed significant childhood risk factors for adult IBS, including family history (pooled OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.89–2.49, p < 0.0001, n = 11) and the occurrence of any childhood trauma event (pooled OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.29–2.01, p < 0.0001, n = 6). Physical and sexual trauma were the strongest trauma predictors. Factors including breastfeeding and Cesarean section were not significant. Conclusions: This study found IBS is strongly predicted by traumatic childhood experiences, as well as having an immediate family member with IBS. These demonstrated environmental and genetic components indicate a potential gene–environment interaction during childhood, suggesting a need for primary research to better understand the developmental origins of IBS.