Long-term efficacy of polyethylene glycol 3350 for the treatment of chronic constipation in children with and without encopresis.

Abstract

Seventy-four children (43 with chronic constipation, 31 with constipation and encopresis) treated with polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG) for longer than 3 months were studied to assess long-term efficacy. The mean duration of PEG therapy was 8.4 months (range, 3-30). Weekly stool frequency, stool consistency, and symptoms associated with constipation improved significantly with PEG therapy in all 74 patients. In 31 children with encopresis, soiling ceased completely in 16 patients and frequency of soiling decreased significantly in all others. The average effective long-term dose of PEG was 0.7 g/kg/day. Long-term PEG therapy is effective for the treatment of chronic constipation with and without encopresis in children.

• Authors: Dinesh S Pashankar, Warren P Bishop, Vera Loening-Baucke
• Journal: Clinical pediatrics (Clin Pediatr (Phila)) 2003 Nov-Dec Vol. 42 Issue 9 Pg. 815-9 ISSN: 0009-9228 [Print] United States
• PMID: 14686553 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Surface-Active Agents
• Polyethylene Glycols

Topics

• Adolescent
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Chronic Disease
• Constipation (complications, drug therapy)
• Encopresis (complications)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Polyethylene Glycols (therapeutic use)
• Surface-Active Agents (therapeutic use)
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome