Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
10:57

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children

Published on: August 22, 2012

The impact of constipation on growth in children

Hsun-Chin Chao1, Shih-Yen Chen, Chien-Chang Chen

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kweishan, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan. chchiu@adm.cgmh.org.tw

Pediatric Research
|April 17, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Chronic constipation can hinder children's growth. Effective treatment, including long-term medication, significantly improves nutritional and growth status in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Gastroenterology
  • Child Health

Background:

  • Constipation's impact on pediatric nutritional and growth status is under-researched.
  • Chronic constipation affects a significant number of children.
  • Understanding this link is crucial for comprehensive child healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of chronic constipation on the nutritional and growth status of children.
  • To evaluate the correlation between constipation treatment efficacy and growth outcomes.
  • To determine if long-term constipation management benefits child development.

Main Methods:

  • A 4-year observational study involving 2426 children (aged 1-15 years) with constipation.
  • Constipation symptom scoring to assess medical response to treatment.
  • Statistical evaluation of therapeutic effects on growth parameters (height-for-age, weight-for-age, BMI-for-age) at 12 and 24 weeks.

Main Results:

  • Children with good medical responses to constipation treatment showed significant improvements in height-for-age, weight-for-age, and BMI-for-age z-scores after 12 weeks.
  • Even patients with poor initial responses, who received advanced medications, demonstrated significant growth improvements.
  • Increased appetite post-treatment strongly correlated with better height and weight gain.

Conclusions:

  • Chronic constipation can negatively impact and retard growth in children.
  • Long-term medical management of constipation in pediatric populations is beneficial for improving growth status.
  • Addressing constipation is a key factor in optimizing nutritional and developmental outcomes in children.

Related Concept Videos

Nature and Nurture01:10

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience, such as differences...
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Bulk-Forming and Stimulant Laxatives01:22

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Bulk-Forming and Stimulant Laxatives

Laxatives enhance bowel movements and alleviate constipation. They augment the stool's bulk, stimulate intestinal muscle contractions, draw water into the intestines, or soften the stool. There are five key types of laxatives: bulk laxatives, stimulant laxatives, osmotic laxatives, stool softeners, and lubricant laxatives.
Bulk-forming laxatives, such as psyllium, methylcellulose, and polycarbophil, absorb water in the intestine, increasing stool bulk and promoting bowel movement. This makes...
Assessment of the Rectum and Anus01:25

Assessment of the Rectum and Anus

Evaluating the rectum and anus plays a crucial role in conducting a thorough physical examination of the gastrointestinal system. Although it may be uncomfortable and often embarrassing for the patient, it holds immense diagnostic value, particularly in detecting gastrointestinal diseases and abnormalities. This guide will explain how to perform this assessment using inspection and palpation methods.
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...
Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS01:21

Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS

Pharmacological therapies for IBS-C are designed to alleviate abdominal discomfort and enhance bowel function. In patients with IBS-C, fiber supplements may help soften stools and decrease straining, but may also lead to increased gas production and bloating. Osmotic laxatives like milk of magnesia are frequently used to soften stools and increase stool frequency in IBS-C patients. In addition, two drugs approved for use in severe IBS-C adult cases are linaclotide (Linzess) and lubiprostone...
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Other Laxatives01:20

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Other Laxatives

Laxatives are primarily used to alleviate constipation, a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by infrequent bowel movements and difficulty passing stools. They work by various mechanisms to increase the volume or frequency of bowel movements. The primary modes of action of laxatives include increasing stool bulk, softening the stool, stimulating intestinal motility, and osmotically drawing water into the intestines.
Osmotic or saline laxatives, like magnesium hydroxide or milk of...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...