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Constipation in children: fibre and probiotics

Merit M Tabbers1, Marc A Benninga

  • 1Emma Children's Hospital/Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

BMJ Clinical Evidence
|March 12, 2015
PubMed

Insights

This systematic review examines the effectiveness of fiber and probiotics for treating childhood constipation. Evidence on these interventions for pediatric constipation is synthesized to inform clinical practice.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Evidence-Based Medicine

Background:

  • Childhood constipation affects 1-30% globally, often without clear causes.
  • Chronic constipation can persist into adulthood, impacting quality of life.
  • Withholding behavior and painful defecation are common in children with constipation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of fiber supplementation for pediatric chronic constipation.
  • To assess the effectiveness of probiotics in managing childhood constipation.
  • To synthesize current evidence on interventions for childhood constipation.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of medical literature up to May 2014.
  • Searched major databases including Medline, Embase, and The Cochrane Library.
  • Included safety alerts from regulatory agencies like the FDA and MHRA.

Main Results:

  • Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria for the review.
  • GRADE methodology was used to assess the quality of evidence for interventions.
  • Data on the effectiveness and safety of fiber and probiotics were analyzed.

Conclusions:

  • Presents findings on the effectiveness and safety of fiber for childhood constipation.
  • Provides information on the effectiveness and safety of probiotics for pediatric constipation.
  • Informs clinical decision-making regarding the management of chronic constipation in children.
Abstract

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