THERAPEUTIC OUTCOME OF CONSTIPATION IN INFANT AND CHILDREN: RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

unctional constipation is a common complaint among children accounting for 3-10% of visits to general pediatric clinics. In the general population prevalence is reported to vary from 0.7% to 29.6%. In this study, our aim was to evaluate the outcome of different lines of treatment of constipation, duration of therapy and the factors affecting treatment response in infants and children. We included 127 patients following in pediatric gasteroenterology clinic (Ain Shams University). All files were reviewed for full history taking, thorough general, abdominal & P/R examination, investigation and analysis of treatment of different modalities In this study, we found the following results: Osmotic laxatives were used in 59 patients (46.5%) while Stimulant laxatives were used in 108 patients (85%). 56 patients showed complete response on monotherapy (44.6%). This monotherapy was PEG, lactulose, picolax, sekem & purgaton with the following percentage 8.9%, 14.3%, 1.8%, 14.3% & 60.7% respectively.