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Bowel habits of normal Thai children
S Osatakul1, P Yossuk, L Mo-suwan
1Department of Pediatrics, Prince of Songkla University, Hat-Yai, Songkhla, Thailand.
Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|April 1, 1995
Summary
This study analyzed bowel habits in 400 Thai children (1-72 months). Thai children exhibit larger, softer, and more frequent stools compared to Western children, likely due to dietary fiber differences.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Limited data exists on pediatric bowel habits in non-Western populations.
- Dietary fiber intake significantly influences stool characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the bowel habits of healthy Thai children aged 1-72 months.
- To compare Thai children's bowel habits with those of Western children.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 400 healthy Thai children.
- Assessment of stool frequency, consistency, and volume.
- Age-based analysis from infancy to early childhood.
Main Results:
- 94% of children had at least one bowel movement daily.
- Stool frequency peaked in newborns (3.3 stools/day) and decreased with age.
- Stool consistency shifted from runny to formed by 4 months.
- Stool volume increased with age, from 16.6 ml at 1 month to 35.4 ml at 48-72 months.
- Thai children passed larger, softer, and more frequent stools than Western children.
Conclusions:
- Thai children's bowel habits differ from Western norms.
- Dietary fiber content is a probable factor influencing these differences.