Glucomannan is not effective for the treatment of functional constipation in children: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial.

Abstract

BACKGROUND & AIMS:

Treatment measures for constipation in children are often not satisfactory. The aim was to assess the efficacy of glucomannan (GNN) as a sole treatment for functional constipation.

METHODS:

Children aged 3-16 years with functional constipation according to Rome III criteria were randomly assigned to receive GNN (2.52 g/d) or placebo for 4 weeks.

RESULTS:

Of the 80 children, 72 (90%) completed the study. The primary outcome, treatment success (≥3 stools per week with no soiling), was similar in the GNN (n = 36) and placebo (n = 36) groups (relative risk 0.95, 95% CI 0.6 to 1.4). In the GNN group, the stool consistency score was higher at week 1 (P < 0.0001), lower at week 3 (P = 0.008), and similar at weeks 2 and 4. Stool frequency was higher only at week 3 (P = 0.007). Abdominal pain episodes were more frequent in the GNN group at week 1 (P = 0.04) and week 4 (P < 0.0001) but were similar between groups at weeks 2 and 3. No difference was observed in the frequency of any other secondary outcome or adverse event.

CONCLUSIONS:

In our setting, GNN, as dosed in this study, was not more effective than placebo in achieving therapeutic success in constipated children. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (http://clinicaltrials.gov), number NCT01151878.

• Authors: Anna Chmielewska, Andrea Horvath, Piotr Dziechciarz, Hania Szajewska
• Journal: Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) (Clin Nutr) Vol. 30 Issue 4 Pg. 462-8 (Aug 2011) ISSN: 1532-1983 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21320737 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Mannans
• (1-6)-alpha-glucomannan

Topics

• Abdominal Pain (drug therapy)
• Adolescent
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Constipation (drug therapy)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Flatulence (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Mannans (therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome