Few pediatric studies classify the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) subtypes.To describe the characteristics and subtypes of IBS in children from Panama, Ecuador, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Mexico.Prevalence study performed in children between 8 and 18 years of age with a diagnosis of IBS. The children answered the Questionnaire for Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms Roma III for Schoolchildren and Adolescents (QPGS-III) to identify functional gastrointestinal disorders. Variables such as age and sex were taken into account. The subtypes of IBS were classified in IBS with constipation (IBS-c), with diarrhea (IBS-d), mixed (IBS-m) and without subtype (IBS-ss). Statistical analysis included measures of central tendency, two-tailed student t-test, chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test, with a significant p<0.05.We included 79 children (54.4% female, 12.1±2.1 years) presenting IBS-ss in 55.7%, IBS-c in 15.2%, IBS-m in 15.2% and SII-d in 13.9%. Severe pain predominated most of the day and with mucous stools; possible associations for IBS-d school and sex.After IBS-ss, the IBS-e, IBS-d and IBS-m are similar, being the possible risk factors for IBS-d, the public school and the female gender.