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Updated: Jun 20, 2025

Electroacupuncture Combined with Chinese Medicine Ironing Therapy for Functional Constipation
04:04

Electroacupuncture Combined with Chinese Medicine Ironing Therapy for Functional Constipation

Published on: July 5, 2024

381

Recent advances in treating constipation in children

Sharon Wolfson1, Miguel Saps2

  • 1Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
|July 22, 2024
PubMed

Insights

New therapies are emerging for pediatric functional constipation (FC), a common condition. While linaclotide is now FDA-approved for children, further research on safety and efficacy is crucial for personalized FC management.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Pharmacology
  • Surgical Interventions

Background:

  • Functional constipation (FC) affects a significant number of children, with approximately 30% not responding to standard treatments.
  • Current management often involves lifestyle changes and osmotic laxatives, but new therapeutic avenues are becoming available.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current and emerging pharmacologic, surgical, and neuromodulatory therapies for pediatric functional constipation.
  • To discuss the efficacy and safety data for these diverse treatment modalities in children.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing and novel therapeutic options for pediatric FC.
  • Analysis of efficacy and safety data from clinical studies and expert opinions.

Main Results:

  • The first pharmacologic agent, linaclotide, received FDA approval in 2023 for treating FC in children aged 6-17 years.
  • Various pharmacologic, surgical, and neuromodulatory approaches are being explored for pediatric FC management.

Conclusions:

  • Further investigation into the safety and efficacy of new FC treatments in pediatric populations is essential.
  • A personalized approach to pediatric FC management, considering distinct pathophysiology from adults, is predicted to improve outcomes.
Abstract

Keywords:
5 HT-4 agonistabsorbagoguefunctional constipationneurostimulationosmotic laxativepediatricssecretory agentsstimulant laxative

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