title: Long-term efficacy of polyethylene glycol 3350 for the treatment of chronic constipation in children with and without encopresis.
abstract: Seventy-four children (43 with chronic constipation, 31 with constipation and encopresis) treated with polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG) for longer than 3 months were studied to assess long-term efficacy. The mean duration of PEG therapy was 8.4 months (range, 3-30). Weekly stool frequency, stool consistency, and symptoms associated with constipation improved significantly with PEG therapy in all 74 patients. In 31 children with encopresis, soiling ceased completely in 16 patients and frequency of soiling decreased significantly in all others. The average effective long-term dose of PEG was 0.7 g/kg/day. Long-term PEG therapy is effective for the treatment of chronic constipation with and without encopresis in children.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Children's Hospital of Iowa, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1083, USA.
authors.forename: Dinesh S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Pashankar
authors.forename: Warren P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Bishop
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Loening-Baucke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003248:Constipation / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004688:Encopresis / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols