The role of physical therapy in the treatment of children with chronic functional constipation (original) (raw)
Related papers
Management of Functional Constipation in Children: Therapy in Practice
Paediatric drugs, 2015
Functional constipation is a common healthcare problem among children worldwide and accounts for high healthcare usage and costs. Functional constipation is a clinical diagnosis; the evaluation primarily consists of a thorough medical history and a complete physical examination. Additional investigations are not necessary in most cases. Treatment consists of non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions. Non-pharmacological interventions involve education and demystification, toilet training (with a reward system), and a defecation diary. Pharmacological treatment comprises three steps: disimpaction, maintenance treatment, and weaning. The treatment of first choice is oral laxatives, preferably polyethylene glycol. When this is insufficient, other therapeutic agents are available. This review discusses the evaluation and management of functional constipation in the pediatric population and provides a summary of drug treatment options.
Current treatment options in pediatrics, 2020
Purpose of review Functional constipation (FC) is a disorder of multifactorial origin that accounts for the vast majority of constipation cases in children and often leads to a significant impact on quality of life. Functional constipation can be challenging to manage due to its mixed etiology. Understanding epidemiologic and physiologic features in the process of defecation is key when choosing an adequate diagnostic and management plan for patients with functional constipation. Recent findings There is a wide range of pharmacologic treatments that can be implemented at initial diagnosis; however, results can significantly vary and sometimes lead to a chronic disease state. At this point, non-pharmacologic or interventional methods can be applied in order to restore a physiologic defecation pattern. This review describes the epidemiology and pathophysiology of FC in addition to current pharmacologic, interventional and complementary treatment options within the pediatric population. Summary FC is a common problem within the pediatric population that must be studied more extensively to better understand its physiology and appropriate treatment. Although many children with FC respond to conventional treatment methods, it is especially important to gain a more thorough understanding of treatment options for children with refractory constipation.
Chronic Constipation in Children. An Update on Evaluation and Management
Revista română de pediatrie, 2015
Constipation is a common problem in childhood, with a children prevalence varying between 0.7% and 29.6%. Constipation is encountered in all pediatric age groups, with variably severity and duration, from mild and short to severe and chronic forms, with faecal impact and encopresis. This article review the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutically aspects of children constipation, functional in the majority of cases.
Functional constipation in children: A follow-up of two randomized controlled trials
Pediatria Polska, 2013
Background: The goal of treatment of functional constipation (FC) is to restore a regular defecation pattern and to prevent relapses. Aim: To assess long-term outcomes in children with FC. Methods: This was a follow-up study of children previously enrolled in 2 independent randomized controlled trials. In the first trial, children randomly received glucomannan (GNN) or placebo for 4 weeks. In the second study, children received a fermented dairy product with Bifidobacterium lactis I-2494 (B. lactis) or placebo for 3 weeks. Follow-up data were collected using a standardized questionnaire. The primary outcome measure was treatment success (!3 spontaneous bowel movements with no episodes of soiling during the last week, abdominal pain, or need for laxatives). The secondary outcomes were FC according to the Rome III criteria and the need for laxative therapy. Results: In the GNN study, follow-up data at 24 months were obtained from 63 of 72 (87.5%) of children. Treatment success was reported in 36/63 (57%), FC in 17/63 (27%), and the need for laxatives in 13/63 (21%). There were no differences in outcomes between groups. In the B. lactis study, follow-up data at 36 months were obtained from 57 of 82 (70%) of children. Treatment success was reported in 26/57 (46%), FC in 21/57 (37%), and the need for laxatives in 15/57 (26%). There were no differences in outcomes between groups. Conclusion: A substantial portion of children remained symptomatic after 2-3 years of follow-up indicating a need for regular evaluation of children with FC.