ESPGHAN and NASPGHAN 2024 protocol for paediatric functional constipation treatment guidelines (standard operating...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Clinical Guideline Development

Background:

• Functional constipation significantly impacts children and their families.
• Numerous therapies exist, with ongoing research into novel treatments.
• Existing joint ESPGHAN/NASPGHAN guidelines require updating from their 2014 release.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the operating procedure and technical review protocol for updating pediatric functional constipation guidelines.
• To establish a systematic and objective methodology for evidence appraisal and recommendation formulation.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework for guideline development.
• Forming a Guideline Development Group comprising pediatric gastroenterologists from ESPGHAN and NASPGHAN.
• Conducting systematic evidence searches, selection, extraction, appraisal, and analysis following Cochrane and GRADE guidance.
• Employing network meta-analysis to identify evidence triangulation and producing summary of findings tables for evidence-to-decision frameworks.

Main Results:

• The manuscript details a prospective protocol for guideline development.
• The methodology ensures objective assessment of evidence certainty and informs consensus-based recommendations.

Conclusions:

• This protocol provides a robust framework for updating clinical guidelines on childhood functional constipation.
• The systematic approach aims to deliver evidence-based recommendations for improved patient care.