Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Simulator (PENFS)

If your child has functional abdominal pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome, your child’s provider may recommend PENFS.

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A percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulator (PENFS) is a small electrical device that can help reduce functional abdominal pain in children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

While functional abdominal pain associated with IBS is often believed to be caused by irregular signaling between the brain and the gut, most medications specifically target the bowels. PENFS instead targets nerve activity through gentle electrical impulses.

At University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital, our gastroenterology specialists are experts in caring for children with IBS. We offer the most comprehensive gastroenterology services in eastern Iowa and will work with you to determine if PENFS is right for your child.

How PENFS works

PENFS treatment involves wearing a small electrical device behind the ear for five consecutive days (or approximately 120 hours) for up to four consecutive weeks.

During this time, the device sends gentle electrical pulses to nerves just beneath the skin. These pulses target brain areas that process pain, reducing pain signals from the gastrointestinal tract and providing relief.

Is your child a candidate for PENFS?

If your child’s functional abdominal pain associated with IBS has not been successfully treated with medication, we may recommend PENFS.

We will work with you and your child to determine if PENFS would work well with the other IBS treatments your child may be receiving.

PENFS is not recommended if your child has a pacemaker or has been diagnosed with hemophilia. Additionally, PENFS is not recommended for children with certain skin conditions that make them sensitive to adhesives.

Will insurance cover this treatment?

Currently most insurance companies do not pay for this treatment. However, payment plans and financial assistance can be arranged with the company that makes the device.