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Clinical inquiries. What treatments work best for constipation in children?

Zia Rahman1, Fereshteh Gerayli, Nakia Joye Carter

  • 1Johnson City Family Medicine Residency Program, Johnson City, TN, USA.

The Journal of Family Practice
|June 11, 2009
PubMed

Insights

For children with chronic functional constipation (CFC), osmotic laxatives are the most effective treatment. While fiber and behavior changes are often recommended first, evidence for their efficacy is limited.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Chronic functional constipation (CFC) is common in children.
  • Increased fiber and behavior modification are frequently recommended initial management strategies for pediatric CFC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the evidence supporting different management approaches for pediatric chronic functional constipation.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on fiber, behavior modification, and pharmacologic treatments for pediatric CFC.

Main Results:

  • Limited evidence supports the efficacy of increased fiber and behavior modification as first-line treatments for pediatric CFC.
  • Osmotic laxatives demonstrate the strongest evidence base for effective pharmacologic management of pediatric CFC.

Conclusions:

  • Osmotic laxatives are the most evidence-based pharmacologic treatment for pediatric chronic functional constipation.
  • Further research is needed to clarify the role and optimal implementation of non-pharmacologic interventions like fiber and behavior modification.

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