title: Colonic transit time and constipation in children with spastic cerebral palsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate colonic motility and to investigate contributing factors to colonic dysmotility in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A university-based rehabilitation hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-eight children with spastic CP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Colonic transit time was measured by using a Sitzmarks. The nutrient intake during 3 consecutive days was analyzed by using the ESHA Food Processor program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant relationship between colon transit time and stool frequency was observed (P<.05). All children with constipation and 17 (60.8%) of 28 without constipation showed an abnormal segmental colon transit time in at least 1 segment of the colon. A transit time delay at the proximal segment of colon was remarkable in CP children with constipation. In children without constipation, a transit time delay was marked at the rectosigmoid colon only. Constipation and transit time delay were significantly related to ambulatory function (P<.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A transit time delay at total or segmental colon was frequently observed in children with CP. Constipation and colonic motility were related to ambulatory function.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Department, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Eun Sook
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Chang Il
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Sung-Rae
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Sang-Il
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Na
authors.forename: Youn Soo
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Cho
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003109:Colonic Diseases, Functional / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors