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[Guidelines for the treatment of functional constipation]
A Bautista Casasnovas1, F Argüelles Martín, L Peña Quintana
1Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain. adolfo.bautista@usc.es
Childhood constipation affects 5-30% of children. Oral polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG) is the preferred disimpaction treatment, alongside diet and behavioral changes for maintenance therapy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
Context:
- Childhood constipation is a prevalent condition, impacting 5-30% of children.
- Current treatment involves explanation, disimpaction, and maintenance therapy.
- Oral polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG) has become the standard for disimpaction.
Purpose:
- To outline current best practices for managing childhood constipation.
- To emphasize the shift towards oral disimpaction methods.
- To highlight the importance of individualized care and patient communication.
Summary:
- Recommended treatment includes explanation, disimpaction, and maintenance therapy (diet, behavior, laxatives).
- Oral polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG) is the preferred disimpaction agent.
- Maintenance therapy aims for daily, painless defecation to prevent recurrence.
Impact:
- Oral PEG is safe, effective, and well-tolerated for children of all ages.
- Early intervention with oral laxatives can improve functional constipation resolution.
- Advances in understanding the enteric nervous system may lead to new treatments.
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