Long-term efficacy of polyethylene glycol 3350 for the treatment of chronic constipation in children with and without encopresis.
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.
Pashankar
Dinesh S
DS
Division of Gastroenterology, Children's Hospital of Iowa, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1083, USA.
Bishop
Warren P
WP
Loening-Baucke
Vera
V
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
D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols