[Therapy of constipation with wheat bran in infancy and early childhood]

In 22 infants and children aged 6 to 62 months (mean = 23 months) with severe constipation a commercially produced solid food containing 4.2 g wheat bran was used for 41 days. Acceptance was satisfactory, compatibility was reported to be good. In 86% of the children normal bowel movements appeared within 8.2 days of therapy. Blood levels of hemoglobin, calcium, phosphathase, alkaline phosphatase, iron, transferrin, total protein, cholesterol, and carotene were controlled in monthly intervals. Under wheat bran there was only a slight decrease of carotene concentrations by 13.5 mg/dl (p less than 0.05) and a minimal increase of alkaline phosphatase activity by 14.5 U/l (p less than 0.1). In 8 healthy infants aged 4.5-9 months (mean = 6.7 months) the bran preparation induced an increase of stool weight by 21.5% (p less than 0.05), whereas the frequency of bowel actions did not change. The results indicate that bran preparations may be used in severe constipation even in early childhood.