Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth in the Pediatric Population: A Review of Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management.

Authors

Shaan Mody, Alison Laxer, Jermie Gandhi

Published in

Current gastroenterology reports. Volume 28. Issue 1. Sep 23, 2026. Epub Sep 23, 2026.

Abstract

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) remains a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in pediatric gastroenterology. This review summarizes the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of SIBO in children, with emphasis on recent advances in microbiome science, evolving diagnostic paradigms, and pediatric-specific clinical considerations.
SIBO is increasingly recognized across a broad range of pediatric conditions, including intestinal failure, motility disorders, disorders of gut-brain interaction, and systemic diseases associated with gastrointestinal dysmotility. Diagnosis remains challenging as currently available tests have important limitations and pediatric-specific diagnostic standards are lacking. Management requires a multifaceted approach that combines antimicrobial therapy, correction of underlying anatomic abnormalities or treatment of dysmotility, nutritional support, and emerging microbiome-directed strategies. Future research should focus on validating pediatric-specific diagnostic criteria, defining optimal treatment regimens, and advancing precision approaches to microbiome characterization and modulation.

PMID:
42776291
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 24 Sep 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.