Prevalence, symptoms and outcome of constipation in infants and toddlers.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of constipation in children <or=2 years, describe the symptoms of constipation, and review how often specific interventions were effective.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


RESULTS
Of 4,157 children <2 years of age, 185 children had constipation. The prevalence rate for constipation in the first year of life was 2.9%, and in the second year of life, the rate was 10.1%. Functional constipation was the cause in 97% of the children. Boys and girls were affected with equal frequency. Constipation was caused by an underlying organic disease in 1.6% of cases, and 97% of the children had functional constipation. Dietary changes and corn syrup were the initial treatment suggestions for 116 children; 93% of these children underwent follow-up examinations, and the constipation resolved in 25% of the children. Of 100 children treated with milk of magnesia or polyethylene glycol 3350 without electrolytes, 93 children underwent follow-up examinations, and the constipation was resolved with treatment in 92% of the children.


CONCLUSIONS
Dietary changes, corn syrup, or both resolved constipation in 25% of children, and laxatives resolved constipation in 92% of children. Both milk of magnesia and polyethylene glycol were efficient and safe in infants and toddlers.
Loening-Baucke
Vera
V
Division of General Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242-1083, USA. vera-loening-baucke@uiowa.edu
D002400:Cathartics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003248:Constipation / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005632:Fructose / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D008274:Magnesium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage
D002400:Cathartics; D013549:Sweetening Agents; D005632:Fructose; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D008274:Magnesium