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Use of erythromycin for the treatment of severe chronic constipation in children.

Abstract
The efficacy of erythromycin was assessed in the treatment of 14 children aged 4 to 13 years with refractory chronic constipation, and presenting megarectum and fecal impaction. A double-blind, placebo- controlled, crossover study was conducted at the Pediatric Gastroenterology Outpatient Clinic of the University Hospital. The patients were randomized to receive placebo for 4 weeks followed by erythromycin estolate, 20 mg kg-1 day-1, divided into four oral doses for another 4 weeks, or vice versa. Patient outcome was assessed according to a clinical score from 12 (most severe clinical condition) to 0 (complete recovery). At enrollment in the study and on the occasion of follow-up medical visits at two-week intervals, patient score and laxative requirements were recorded. During the first 30 days, the mean SD clinical score for the erythromycin group (N = 6) decreased from 8.2+/-2.3 to 2.2+/-1.0 while the score for the placebo group (N = 8) decreased from 7.8+/-2.1 to 2.9+/-2.8. During the second crossover phase, the score for patients on erythromycin ranged from 2.9+/-2.8 to 2.4+/-2.1 and the score for the patients on placebo worsened from 2.2+/-1.0 to 4.3+/-2.3. There was a significant improvement in score when patients were on erythromycin (P < 0.01). Mean laxative requirement was lower when patients ingested erythromycin (P < 0.05). No erythromycin-related side effects occurred. Erythromycin was useful in this group of severely constipated children. A larger trial is needed to fully ascertain the prokinetic efficacy of this drug as an adjunct in the treatment of severe constipation in children.
AuthorsM A Bellomo-Brandão, E F Collares, E A L da-Costa-Pinto
JournalBrazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas (Braz J Med Biol Res) Vol. 36 Issue 10 Pg. 1391-6 (Oct 2003) ISSN: 0100-879X [Print] Brazil
PMID14502372 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • Gastrointestinal Agents
  • Erythromycin Estolate
Topics
  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chronic Disease
  • Constipation (drug therapy)
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Erythromycin Estolate (therapeutic use)
  • Fecal Impaction (drug therapy)
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gastrointestinal Agents (therapeutic use)
  • Humans
  • Severity of Illness Index

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