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Prevalence of Functional Defecation Disorders in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Ilan J N Koppen1, Mana H Vriesman2, Miguel Saps3

  • 1Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Emma Children's Hospital/Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|April 17, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Functional constipation is common in children, affecting 9.5% globally. Functional nonretentive fecal incontinence (FNRFI) is rare, with a prevalence of 0.4%.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Functional constipation and functional nonretentive fecal incontinence (FNRFI) are common pediatric gastrointestinal disorders.
  • Understanding their epidemiology is crucial for effective public health strategies and clinical management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review the literature on the epidemiology of functional constipation and FNRFI in children.
  • To assess the geographical, age, and sex distribution of these conditions.
  • To identify associated factors influencing their prevalence.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature search was conducted in Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase (2006-2017).
  • Inclusion criteria focused on prospective, population-based studies of children (0-18 years) reporting Rome III/IV criteria for functional constipation or FNRFI.
  • Meta-analyses and meta-regression analyses were employed to synthesize data and evaluate study characteristics.

Main Results:

  • Thirty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria.
  • The pooled prevalence of functional constipation was 9.5% (95% CI 7.5-12.1), with no significant sex difference.
  • The pooled prevalence of FNRFI was 0.4% (95% CI 0.2-0.7).
  • Geographical location, diet, and stressful life events were associated with functional constipation; data for FNRFI were scarce.

Conclusions:

  • Functional constipation is a prevalent condition in childhood, influenced by geographical, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors.
  • Functional nonretentive fecal incontinence is rare in children, and its associated factors remain largely unidentified.
Abstract

Keywords:
childrenconstipationepidemiologyfecal incontinencefunctional defecation disordersprevalence

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