SEARCHNARRATIVE_REVIEWpediatrics, gastroenterology

narrative_review·pediatrics, gastroenterology, family medicine, nutrition, clinical nutrition·PMC10011959

Functional constipation in children: What physicians should know

World Journal of Gastroenterology · 2 authors, 3 centres

AI SUMMARY

FIDELITY 100%

This summary was generated by AI from a single paper. It has not been reviewed by a clinician and is not clinical advice. Verify against the source before acting on it.

AGENT 01 · STRUCTURED SUMMARY

TRACE TO SOURCE

“

TL;DR

It concludes that stool withholding is a key cause, and successful toilet training combined with osmotic laxatives is the cornerstone of effective treatment.

Full summary

542 CHARS

The pathophysiology is described as multifactorial, with stool withholding identified as a primary etiological factor. The review discusses various treatment options, including conventional and novel therapies like probiotics, while highlighting that adherence and parental concerns are major barriers to success. It notes that intractable cases may require specialist referral and multidisciplinary care. The conclusion stresses that toilet training is the most effective treatment for both resolution and long-term prevention of recurrence.

STUDY TYPE

narrative_review

SPECIALTY

pediatrics

SUMMARISED BY

AI pipeline

FIDELITY CHECK

100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10011959

Functional constipation in children: What physicians should know

World Journal of Gastroenterology

READ THE FULL PAPER

ABSTRACT

Functional constipation (FC) is considered the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder in children with a pooled global prevalence of 14.4% (95% confidence interval: 11.2-17.6) when diagnosed based on the Rome IV criteria. Its pathophysiological mechanisms are thought be multifactorial and complicated, resulting in difficult management. Currently, the most effective medication, when used in parallel with toilet training, is osmotic laxatives. Children’s adherence to medication and parental concern regarding long-term laxative use are the main contributors to treatment failure. Recently, novel therapies with a high safety profile have been developed, such as probiotics, synbiotics, serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine 4 receptor agonists, chloride channel activators, and herbal and transitional medicines; nonetheless, well-designed research to support the use of these therapies is needed. This review aims to focus on multiple aspects of FC in children, including global prevalence, pathogenesis, diagnostic criteria, tools, as well as conventional and novel treatment options, such as non-pharmacological management, including adequate fiber and fluid intake, physiotherapy, or neuromodulators. We also report that in very difficult cases, surgical intervention may be required.

CITATION EXPORT

Duc Long Tran, Palittiya Sintusek. Functional constipation in children: What physicians should know. World Journal of Gastroenterology. (2023). https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v29.i8.1261

AUTHORS

2 · 3 CENTRES

Duc Long Tran, Palittiya Sintusek

Thailand and Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Bangkok, Thailand
Faculty of Medicine, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho City 9000, Viet Nam
Thai Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Immunology Research Unit, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital and Thai Red Cross, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. [email protected]