Dose response of PEG 3350 for the treatment of childhood fecal impaction.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the efficacy and safety of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3350 in the treatment of childhood fecal impaction.

METHODS:

This was a prospective, double-blind, parallel, randomized study of 4 doses of PEG 3350; 0.25 g/kg per day, 0.5 g/kg per day, 1 g/kg per day, 1.5 g/kg per day, given for 3 days in children with constipation for >3 months and evidence of fecal impaction.

RESULTS:

Forty patients completed the study (27 boys, median age 7.5, range 3.3-13.1 years). Disimpaction occurred in 75% of children, with a significant difference between the two higher doses and the lower doses (95% vs 55%, P <.005). All groups had an increased number of bowel movements during the 5-day study versus baseline, respectively: 6.5 versus 1.1 (P <.005), 8.0 versus 1.3 (P <.005), 10.9 versus 1.7 (P <.005), and 12.3 versus 1.4 (P <.005). Adverse effects included nausea (5%), vomiting (5%), bloating (18%), cramping (5%), and diarrhea (13%). Diarrhea and bloating were more prevalent (P <.02) in the higher-dose than in the lower-dose group. No clinically significant changes in electrolytes were noted.

CONCLUSIONS:

The 3-day administration of PEG 3350 is safe and effective in the treatment of childhood fecal impaction at doses of 1 and 1.5 g/kg per day.

• Authors: Nader N Youssef, John M Peters, Wendy Henderson, Sandra Shultz-Peters, Danielle K Lockhart, Carlo Di Lorenzo
• Journal: The Journal of pediatrics (J Pediatr) Vol. 141 Issue 3 Pg. 410-4 (Sep 2002) ISSN: 0022-3476 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12219064 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Cathartics
• Polyethylene Glycols

Topics

• Adolescent
• Cathartics (administration & dosage, adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Double-Blind Method
• Fecal Impaction (drug therapy)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Polyethylene Glycols (administration & dosage, adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Prospective Studies