Seventy-two patients (44 girls) ranging in age from 1.1 to 18.3 years constitute the patient sample of this report. The median age was 10 years and the median follow-up after initiation of
tegaserod treatment was 11.3 months (range 2.3-45.2 months). Indications to prescribe
tegaserod were
constipation (58%) and a variety of other conditions including functional
dyspepsia or
inflammatory bowel disease (42%). Defecation frequency increased after
tegaserod use (1 vs 7/week, P < 0.001) and presence of
fecal incontinence decreased (47% vs 23%, P < 0.001) in the
constipation group. Parents rated relief of
constipation as moderate or significant in 71% of cases in the
constipation group. In the group with other indications to start
tegaserod therapy, moderate or significant relief of
abdominal pain and bloating was noted in 64% and 68% of patients, respectively. The median dose of
tegaserod prescribed was 0.22 mg x kg x day (range 0.05-0.87 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)). Adverse events were observed in 32% of the patients. The most common side effects were self-limiting
diarrhea (20%) and
abdominal pain (8%). Only one patient discontinued
tegaserod because of side effects; this patient experienced
pain at his
cecostomy site.
CONCLUSIONS: