Retrospective Analysis of Point-of-Care Ultrasound Results in the Follow-Up of Paediatric Functional Constipation

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Medical Imaging
• Diagnostic Ultrasound

Background:

• Functional constipation is a common pediatric condition requiring effective management.
• Standard treatment guidelines exist, but objective assessment of treatment response can be challenging.
• Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly utilized in pediatric settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) findings in children with functional constipation after clinical improvement.
• To determine if POCUS provides additional clinically meaningful information for assessing treatment response.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 58 children diagnosed with functional constipation was studied.
• Abdominal ultrasound was performed at baseline, and POCUS was used at follow-up after standard treatment.
• Clinical improvement was assessed, alongside POCUS evaluation of rectal and sigmoid colon stool characteristics and diameter.

Main Results:

• The mean rectal diameter significantly decreased post-treatment (38.93 mm to 24.46 mm).
• Hard stool prevalence reduced in the rectum (96.6% to 63.7%) and sigmoid colon (93.1% to 45.5%).
• Despite clinical improvement, POCUS findings led to treatment intensification in 51.7% of patients.

Conclusions:

• POCUS provides additional, clinically relevant information in evaluating treatment response in pediatric functional constipation.
• These findings suggest POCUS can guide treatment adjustments even when clinical signs indicate improvement.
• POCUS can enhance the objective assessment of treatment efficacy in functional constipation.