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Constipation in children

V Loening-Baucke1

  • 1University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City.

Current Opinion in Pediatrics
|October 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Chronic constipation in children is a significant health issue. Advances in diagnosis and treatment, including genetic localization of Hirschsprung

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Clinical Research
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Chronic constipation and fecal soiling are common pediatric health issues.
  • Recent research has improved understanding of functional constipation's pathophysiology, treatment, and outcomes.
  • Intractable constipation in children requires novel therapeutic approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in the understanding and management of childhood constipation.
  • To highlight new insights into Hirschsprung's disease and its associated complications.
  • To discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic implications of these findings.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature on pediatric constipation and Hirschsprung's disease.
  • Analysis of diagnostic advancements, including anorectal manometry and rectal biopsy staining.
  • Discussion of genetic findings related to Hirschsprung's disease.

Main Results:

  • Hirschsprung's disease has been genetically localized to chromosome 10.
  • Earlier diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease is facilitated by improved diagnostic tools.
  • The incidence of preoperative enterocolitis in Hirschsprung's disease has decreased, with a mean age at diagnosis of 2.6 months.

Conclusions:

  • Improved diagnostic methods have led to earlier identification of Hirschsprung's disease and reduced complications.
  • Neuronal intestinal dysplasia is not considered a distinct clinicopathologic entity.
  • Ongoing research continues to refine the management of pediatric constipation and related disorders.

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