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Updated: Aug 30, 2025

Electroacupuncture Combined with Chinese Medicine Ironing Therapy for Functional Constipation
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Electroacupuncture Combined with Chinese Medicine Ironing Therapy for Functional Constipation

Published on: July 5, 2024

537

Relationship of Functional Constipation and Growth Status: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Glen Lazarus1, Michelle Clarissa Junaidi, Hanifah Oswari

  • 1From the Gastrohepatology Division, Department of Child Health, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|September 2, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Functional constipation (FC) in children is linked to both obesity and undernutrition, particularly in Asian populations. Further research is needed to understand the cause-and-effect relationship.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Functional constipation (FC) and malnutrition are prevalent childhood diseases with significant long-term health implications.
  • Understanding the relationship between FC and nutritional status is crucial for effective pediatric healthcare.
  • This study systematically reviews the existing literature to analyze the connection between FC and malnutrition in children.

Approach:

  • A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted.
  • Searches were performed across major databases including PubMed, AAP, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov.
  • Eighteen studies involving 33,410 children were analyzed using a random-effects model and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for bias assessment.

Key Points:

  • A significant association was found between FC and overweight/obesity (OR = 1.75, P = 0.02) and undernutrition (OR = 2.38, P < 0.001), especially in Asian countries.
  • In Asian populations, normal weight was more common in children without FC (OR = 0.54, P < 0.001).
  • The link between FC and short stature remains inconclusive.

Conclusions:

  • FC is correlated with both increased prevalence of overweight/obesity and undernutrition in children.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the causal relationship between FC and these nutritional states.
  • Investigating the potential benefits of FC treatment on nutritional outcomes is recommended.
Abstract

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