title: Long-term follow-up of medically treated childhood constipation.
abstract: We describe the long-term (mean 6.8 years) follow-up of 43 children treated medically for chronic constipation and encopresis. Overall outcome was quite good. Thirty children (70%) were entirely asymptomatic at follow-up. Intermittent mild constipation persisted in 13 patients; only two required persistent but infrequent laxative therapy. Encopresis persisted in three of 17 children who initially reported this symptom, and was associated with significant behavioral problems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22908, USA.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Sutphen
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Borowitz
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Hutchison
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Cox
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002400:Cathartics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003248:Constipation / Q000628:therapy*; D004733:Enema; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics