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Are constipated children different from constipated adults?
1Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pa., USA.
Insights
Constipation is common in children and adults but rarely serious. This review guides physicians on evaluating and managing this chronic digestive disorder, highlighting key differences between pediatric and adult cases.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pediatrics
- Digestive Health
Background:
- Constipation is a prevalent chronic digestive disorder affecting both children and adults.
- While common, it is associated with low disability and hospitalization rates.
- Existing diagnostic and treatment approaches differ significantly between pediatric and adult populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide physicians with a practical guide for evaluating and managing constipation.
- To emphasize the distinct characteristics of constipation in children versus adults.
- To highlight the behavioral aspects crucial for understanding childhood constipation.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on constipation in pediatric and adult populations.
- Comparative analysis of diagnostic techniques and treatment strategies.
- Emphasis on the unique approach required for childhood constipation management.
Main Results:
- Constipation presents differently in children and adults, necessitating distinct management strategies.
- Diagnostic tools for adults may be ineffective for children.
- Childhood constipation management requires a collaborative approach involving healthcare providers, parents, and the child.
Conclusions:
- Physicians need tailored approaches for pediatric and adult constipation.
- Understanding the behavioral component is key to treating constipation in children.
- Effective management of childhood constipation relies on a multidisciplinary team effort.
Abstract:
Constipation represents a diagnostic category of high prevalence both in children and adults, but with low disability and hospitalization rates. This review is written to be a relatively practical guide to physicians providing information for the evaluation and management of one of the most common chronic digestive disorders. In this article we emphasize the differences between constipation in children and adults. The approach to childhood constipation needs to focus on the behavioral nature of this disorder. Diagnostic techniques often used in constipated adults may not provide useful data when applied to children. Treatment of childhood constipation requires a team effort involving the physician, parents and child.