Outcome of functional constipation in childhood: a 10-year follow-up study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the outcome of patients presenting with functional constipation in childhood during a 10-year period and to determine any risk factors for developing persistent constipation throughout adolescence and adulthood.


METHODS
72 children (mean age 4 years; 40 boys) referred for constipation were included in a longitudinal set of observations. Initial workup included segmental colonic transit time and anorectal manometry; 45 of the 72 patients could be reevaluated 10 to 12 years later.


RESULTS
21 of 45 patients (46%; 95% confidence interval 29% to 67%) remained constipated at follow-up. Encopresis and recurrent abdominal pain were present in 25% and 56% of patients, respectively. Patients with anorectal dyssynergia remained more frequently constipated at follow-up than the others: 61% versus 29% (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Almost 50% of patients presenting with constipation during childhood remained constipated on long-term follow-up. Anorectal dyssynergia is associated with a worse prognosis.
Michaud
Laurent
L
Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Children's Hospital, Lille University, France. l-michaud@chru-lille.fr
Lamblin
Marie-Dominique
MD
Mairesse
Sophie
S
Turck
Dominique
D
Gottrand
Frédéric
F
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003248:Constipation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004688:Encopresis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male