The Use of VSL#3 in Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children

Inclusion Criteria: * All children should fulfill Rome ll criteria for IBS. * Organic disease has been excluded. * Age 13-18 years. * Have active symptoms for at least 2 weeks prior to randomization. A minimum of 4.0 on the 7-point Likert scale for the two weeks prior to randomization on the GSRS-IBS composite pain score will be required. * Diarrhea predominant IBS: Diarrhea is defined as increased stool frequency more than 3 times daily or change in form to loose or watery stools. Exclusion Criteria: * Children not fulfilling the inclusion criteria. * Children receiving medication for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome within 2 weeks of randomization. * Children receiving antibiotic therapy or other probiotic agents within 4 weeks of randomization. * Children receiving other medication known to cause abdominal pain. * Children diagnosed with any of the following GI disorders: IBD (Crohn's disease or UC), Celiac disease, Gastroparesis, abdominal adhesions, Gastrointestinal perforation, Gastrointestinal obstruction and/or stricture, chronic or recurrent pancreatitis. * Children who had undergone previous abdominal surgery (with the exception of uncomplicated appendectomy or cholecystectomy greater than or equal to 6 months prior to enrollment). * Children with a history of any disease that may affect bowel motility such as diabetes mellitus, or poorly controlled hypo/hyperthyroidism. * Children with immune deficiency, on immune-suppressants, or have active psychiatric, neurological, metabolic, renal, hepatic, infectious, hematological, cardiovascular or pulmonary disease. * Children with a history of malignancy. * Pregnancy. * Children with history of allergy to maize or probiotics.