[A clinical study of the use of a combination of glucomannan with lactulose in the constipation of pregnancy].
BACKGROUND
Constipation is a problem frequently encountered during pregnancy as is excessive weight gain. Treatments of common use to control constipation are endowed with some drawbacks and they are not active in controlling weight increase. A preparation of lactulose and glucomannan in previous studies proved very effective and well tolerated in patients affected by stypsis and evidentiated also activity both in controlling excessive food intake and in correcting some metabolic imbalances regarding lipids and urea.


METHODS
50 pregnant females affected by constipation were treated with sachets containing a preparation of glucomannan (1.45 g) and lactulose (4.2 g) in a posology of 2 (1-4) sachets a day for 1-3 months.


RESULTS
Treatment induced a return to normal frequency of weekly number of evacuations (4.9-5.8/week) and a parallel control of weight gain (within 20% of initial body weight). The latter finding seems to be related to hunger control induced by glucomannan at the gastric level which prevents an excessive food intake.
Signorelli
P
P
Divisione di Ostetricia e Ginecologia, Ospedale di Codogno, Regione Lombardia, USL n. 25, Lodi.
Croce
P
P
Dedè
A
A
D002400:Cathartics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003248:Constipation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007792:Lactulose / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008351:Mannans / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
D002400:Cathartics; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D008351:Mannans; C022901:(1-6)-alpha-glucomannan; D007792:Lactulose