Polyethylene glycol without electrolytes for children with constipation and encopresis.
BACKGROUND
Children with functional constipation and encopresis benefit from behavior modification and from long-term laxative medication. Polyethylene glycol without electrolytes has become the first option for many pediatric gastroenterologists.


METHODS
Twenty-eight children treated with polyethylene glycol without electrolytes were compared with 21 children treated with milk of magnesia to evaluate the efficiency, acceptability, side effects, and treatment dosage of polyethylene glycol in long-term treatment of functional constipation and encopresis. Children were rated as "doing well," "improved," or "not doing well," depending on resolution of constipation and encopresis.


RESULTS
At the 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups, bowel movement frequency increased and soiling frequency decreased significantly in both groups. At the 1-month follow-up, children on polyethylene glycol were soiling more frequently (P < 0.01) and fewer were improved (P < 0.01). At the 3- and 6-month follow-ups, both groups had similarly improved. At the 12-month visit, 61% of children on polyethylene glycol and 67% of children on milk of magnesia were doing well. Children on polyethylene glycol soiled more frequently (P < 0.01). None refused polyethylene glycol, but 33% refused to take milk of magnesia. The mean initial treatment dosage of polyethylene glycol was 0.6 +/- 0.2 g/kg daily. Polyethylene glycol had no taste, and no loss of efficacy occurred. Polyethylene glycol did not cause clinically significant side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Polyethylene glycol without electrolytes is an alternative for long-term management of children with constipation and encopresis.
Loening-Baucke
Vera
V
Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA. vera-loening-baucke@uiowa.edu
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003248:Constipation / Q000628:therapy*; D004688:Encopresis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007484:Iowa; D008297:Male; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D011092:Polyethylene Glycols