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Characteristics of Precipitation-formed Polyethylene Glycol Microgels Are Controlled by Molecular Weight of Reactants
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Published on: December 23, 2013

Polyethylene glycol for constipation in children younger than eighteen months old

Sonia Michail1, Elizabeth Gendy, Daniel Preud'Homme

  • 1Wright State University School of Medicine and The Children's Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio 45404, USA. sonia.michial@wright.edu

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|July 23, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) powder is safe and effective for treating constipation in infants under 18 months. The recommended maintenance dose is 0.78 g/kg/day, with minimal side effects observed.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Gastroenterology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is established for pediatric constipation in children over 18 months.
  • Limited data exist on PEG's safety and efficacy in infants younger than 18 months.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and optimal dosage of polyethylene glycol (PEG) powder for constipation in infants under 18 months.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of 28 infants younger than 18 months treated with PEG 3350 for constipation.
  • Recorded initial dose, effective maintenance dose, treatment response, duration, and adverse events.

Main Results:

  • PEG relieved constipation in 97.6% of infants.
  • Mean effective maintenance dose was 0.78 g/kg/day.
  • Reported side effects included transient diarrhea and increased gas, manageable with dose adjustment.

Conclusions:

  • Oral powdered polyethylene glycol (PEG) at 0.78 g/kg/day is a safe and effective treatment for constipation in patients under 18 months.
  • PEG demonstrates similar safety and efficacy profiles in infants compared to older children.
Abstract

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