Polyethylene Glycol- or Sodium Picosulphate-Based Laxatives Before Colonoscopy in Children

The purpose of this randomised study was to compare the quality of bowel cleansing using either polyethylene glycol (PEG) or sodium picosulphate (NaPico) (primary outcome) in relation to the tolerability and acceptance of these laxatives among children and their caregivers (secondary outcome).

The study was a randomised controlled trial that was conducted as an investigator-blinded study within the Department of Paediatrics of Skåne University Hospital in Malmö, Sweden. A total of 72 children (10-18 years of age) were randomly placed into 1 of 2 groups (PEG or NaPico). The Ottawa Bowel Preparation Quality Score was used to evaluate the quality of bowel cleansing. A total of 2 different questionnaires were used to evaluate both the acceptability and tolerability of the laxatives.

In total, 71 children completed the bowel cleansing. Of these 71 cleanses, 67 protocols were analysed according to the Ottawa Bowel Preparation Quality Score. No significant difference in bowel cleansing quality was detected between the 2 groups. Rates of acceptability and tolerability were significantly higher in the NaPico group than in the PEG group.

In the present study, both laxatives were found to be satisfactory in terms of aiding the performance of an uncomplicated and successful colonoscopy. NaPico was, however, more tolerable to the children than PEG, and both, the children and their caregivers, were more accepting of NaPico than of PEG. Consequently, NaPico can be recommended as the option for bowel cleansing in children ages 10 years and older.