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Polyethylene Glycol Dosing for Constipation in Children Younger Than 24 Months: A Systematic Review

Helisa Rachel1,2, Andrew F Griffith1,2, Warwick J Teague1,2,3

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne.

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|June 11, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is safe for treating chronic constipation in infants under 24 months. However, current evidence is insufficient to determine the optimal PEG dosage for this age group.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Gastroenterology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Chronic constipation is a common issue in infants.
  • Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is widely used for constipation, but its use in infants under 24 months requires careful evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Polyethylene glycol (PEG) for chronic constipation in children younger than 24 months.
  • To identify the optimum dose of PEG for managing chronic constipation in this pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review of studies published between January 2000 and February 2019 was conducted.
  • Searches were performed in Embase, Medline Ovid, Pubmed, and the Cochrane Library for studies on functional constipation in infants treated with PEG.
  • Study quality was assessed using established tools like the PEDro scale and Cochrane risk of bias tool.

Main Results:

  • Five studies, including 2 RCTs and 3 retrospective chart reviews with 459 participants, met the selection criteria.
  • Variable dosage regimens were reported for PEG3350 (0.45–1.1 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹) and PEG4000 (0.48–0.65 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹).
  • Adverse effects, primarily transient diarrhea and abdominal pain, were reported across all studies.

Conclusions:

  • The systematic review found no reported side effects associated with PEG use in children under 24 months.
  • There is a lack of sufficient evidence to establish appropriate and optimal dosage regimens for PEG in this age group.
Abstract

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