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Prevalence, symptoms and outcome of constipation in infants and toddlers
1Division of General Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242-1083, USA. vera-loening-baucke@uiowa.edu
Insights
In children under two, constipation affects 2.9% in the first year and 10.1% in the second. Laxatives like milk of magnesia or polyethylene glycol are highly effective for treating pediatric constipation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Constipation is a common pediatric issue.
- Understanding its prevalence and effective treatments in young children is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- Determine constipation prevalence in children under two years old.
- Describe constipation symptoms and evaluate intervention effectiveness.
- Assess the efficacy of dietary changes versus laxatives.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 4,157 children under two years of age.
- Analysis of constipation prevalence, causes, and treatment outcomes.
Main Results:
- Constipation prevalence was 2.9% in the first year and 10.1% in the second year of life.
- Functional constipation accounted for 97% of cases; organic disease in 1.6%.
- Dietary changes resolved constipation in 25% of cases, while laxatives (milk of magnesia, polyethylene glycol) resolved it in 92%.
Conclusions:
- Laxatives are significantly more effective than dietary changes for pediatric constipation.
- Milk of magnesia and polyethylene glycol are safe and efficient treatments for infants and toddlers.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence of constipation in children
Study Design:
Retrospective chart review.
Results:
Of 4,157 children <2 years of age, 185 children had constipation. The prevalence rate for constipation in the first year of life was 2.9%, and in the second year of life, the rate was 10.1%. Functional constipation was the cause in 97% of the children. Boys and girls were affected with equal frequency. Constipation was caused by an underlying organic disease in 1.6% of cases, and 97% of the children had functional constipation. Dietary changes and corn syrup were the initial treatment suggestions for 116 children; 93% of these children underwent follow-up examinations, and the constipation resolved in 25% of the children. Of 100 children treated with milk of magnesia or polyethylene glycol 3350 without electrolytes, 93 children underwent follow-up examinations, and the constipation was resolved with treatment in 92% of the children.
Conclusions:
Dietary changes, corn syrup, or both resolved constipation in 25% of children, and laxatives resolved constipation in 92% of children. Both milk of magnesia and polyethylene glycol were efficient and safe in infants and toddlers.
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