Safety of polyethylene glycol 3350 for the treatment of chronic constipation in children.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the clinical and biochemical safety profile of long-term polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG) therapy in children with chronic constipation and to assess pediatric patient acceptance of PEG therapy.


METHODS
Prospective observational study.


METHODS
Pediatric clinics at a referral center. Patients Eighty-three children (44 with chronic constipation, 39 with constipation and encopresis) receiving PEG therapy for more than 3 months.


METHODS
Clinical adverse effects related to PEG therapy and acceptance and compliance with PEG therapy. Serum electrolyte levels, osmolality, albumin levels, and liver and renal function test results were measured.


RESULTS
At the time of evaluation, the mean duration of PEG therapy was 8.7 months, and the mean PEG dose was 0.75 g/kg daily. There were no major clinical adverse effects. All blood test results were normal, except for transient minimal alanine aminotransferase elevation unrelated to therapy in 9 patients. All children preferred PEG to previously used laxatives, and daily compliance was measured as good in 90% of children.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term PEG therapy is safe and is well accepted by children with chronic constipation with and without encopresis.
Pashankar
Dinesh S
DS
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, USA. Dinesh-Pashankar@uiowa.edu
Loening-Baucke
Vera
V
Bishop
Warren P
WP
D000293:Adolescent; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D002400:Cathartics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003248:Constipation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004688:Encopresis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D002400:Cathartics; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D000410:Alanine Transaminase