The ten "hard" questions in pediatric functional constipation

Functional constipation is a common problem in childhood and has a great impact on social, physical, and emotional functioning of affected children and their caregivers. No organic cause of the constipation can be found in approximately 95% of children, defining the "so-called" chronic fun...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Italian journal of pediatrics 2024-04, Vol.50 (1), p.64-64, Article 64
Main Authors: Fedele, Flora, Fioretti, Maria Teresa, Scarpato, Elena, Martinelli, Massimo, Strisciuglio, Caterina, Miele, Erasmo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescents
Child
Children
Chronic constipation
Chronic Disease
Constipation - diagnosis
Constipation - therapy
Functional gastrointestinal disorders
Humans
Laxatives
Laxatives - therapeutic use
Polyethylenglicole
Review
Citations: Items that this one cites
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Summary:Functional constipation is a common problem in childhood and has a great impact on social, physical, and emotional functioning of affected children and their caregivers. No organic cause of the constipation can be found in approximately 95% of children, defining the "so-called" chronic functional constipation. Its prevalence has been reported to range from 0.7 to 29.6%, with a median of 12%. The diagnosis of functional constipation is exclusively clinical based on the pediatric diagnostic Rome criteria for functional gastrointestinal disorders and does not routinely require laboratory and/or radiological investigations. In case of alarm signs and symptoms that may suggest organic diseases, further investigations can be required. The therapeutic management is based on non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches. Education, demystification of constipation and reward-based toilet training represent the cornerstones of nonpharmacological management. Disimpaction, maintenance treatment and weaning of medication are all elements of pharmacological treatment. Osmotic laxatives, mainly polyethylene glycol (PEG), are considered the first-choice laxative for both disimpaction and maintenance treatment. The aim of this review is to provide pediatric gastroenterologists with a practical tool to support the clinical and therapeutic management of children and adolescents affected by chronic functional constipation.
ISSN:1824-7288
1824-7288
DOI:10.1186/s13052-024-01623-y