Parents' Experiences and Information Needs While Caring for a Child With Functional Constipation: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Family Health and Caregiving
• Childhood Constipation Management

Background:

• Pediatric functional constipation (FC) is a prevalent condition affecting over 10% of children globally.
• Effective management of pediatric FC relies heavily on parent and family education and support.
• Limited research exists on the specific information needs and experiences of parents managing childhood FC.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize existing evidence on the experiences of parents caring for children with FC.
• To identify the key information needs of parents and families dealing with pediatric functional constipation.
• To explore potential gaps between parental needs and current care provision for childhood FC.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of published research studies.
• Screening of identified studies based on predefined inclusion criteria.
• Inclusion of thirteen studies (10 quantitative, 3 qualitative) for synthesis.

Main Results:

• Two major themes emerged: 'precarious footing' and 'profound and pervasive effects'.
• Caregiving burdens led to parental doubt, misinformation, relationship strain, and deviations from prescribed treatments.
• A significant mismatch was identified between parents' needs and the care provided for pediatric FC.

Conclusions:

• Parents of children with FC experience substantial challenges impacting their well-being and treatment adherence.
• Current care provision for pediatric FC may not adequately address the informational and support needs of families.
• Development of targeted resources and interventions is recommended to improve care for pediatric functional constipation.