Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 10, 2026
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Association Between Functional Constipation and Growth Status in Children Based on Anthropometric Indices
Hanifah Oswari1, Michelle Clarissa Junaidi1, Jessica Sylvania Oswari1
1Department of Child Health, Gastrohepatology Division, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Insights
Functional constipation (FC) in children is linked to lower weight-for-height Z-scores (WHZ). Treatment for FC improved children's WHZ, but height-for-age Z-scores (HAZ) remained unaffected.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Child Growth and Development
- Nutritional Pediatrics
Background:
- Functional constipation (FC) is a common pediatric condition.
- Growth status is crucial for child development.
- Assessing the impact of FC on anthropometric indices is important.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the relationship between functional constipation (FC) and growth status in children.
- To assess changes in anthropometric indices (WHZ and HAZ) following treatment for FC.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 34 children with FC and 34 controls.
- Growth status assessed using WHO WHZ and HAZ before and after treatment.
- Rome IV criteria used for FC diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Children with FC had significantly lower WHZ at baseline compared to controls (p<0.001).
- FC treatment led to a significant improvement in WHZ (p=0.028).
- No significant changes in HAZ were observed before and after treatment (p>0.05).
Conclusions:
- Functional constipation in children is associated with impaired weight-for-height status.
- Treatment for FC positively impacts weight-for-height in children.
- FC does not appear to affect height-for-age in the studied pediatric population.
Purpose:
To evaluate the relationship between functional constipation (FC) and growth status in children using anthropometric indices (weight-for-height Z-score [WHZ] and height-for-age Z-score [HAZ]).
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a pediatric primary care center in Jakarta, Indonesia, from December 2020 to December 2021. Medical records of 34 children with FC diagnosed using Rome IV criteria and 34 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were reviewed. Growth status was assessed using WHO WHZ and HAZ before and after polyethylene glycol treatment for at least six months. Data were analyzed using t-tests or nonparametric equivalents, with significance set at p<0.05.
Results:
The mean age of our cohort was 3.17±2.11 years at baseline. For children with FC, the mean treatment duration was 17.15±7.22 months. Children with FC had lower WHZ at baseline than the control group (-0.21±0.73, compared to 0.62±0.85, p<0.001). Following treatment, those with FC had increased WHZ (0.18±1.19, p=0.028). No changes were observed in the HAZ before and after treatment (p>0.05).
Conclusion:
FC in children is associated with the WHZ. The completion of FC treatment improved the WHZ in children compared with that at baseline. However, no association was identified between FC and HAZ before and after treatment completion.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Nature and Nurture
01:25Assessment of the Rectum and Anus
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...
01:29Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
01:27Signs of Puberty
01:20Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption