title: Novel and alternative therapies for childhood constipation.
abstract: Constipation is a common and distressing pediatric problem. Even if prevalence of this disorder has increased, treatment of constipation in children is still largely based on clinical experience rather than on evidence-based studies. The currently recommended treatment includes education, disimpaction, and maintenance therapy, consisting of dietary changes, behavioral modification, and use of laxatives. Among osmotic agents, polyethylene glycol solutions appear to be the first-line drug to use in pediatrics. Although these measures are effective in the majority of children, a sizable proportion needs long-term therapy. Chronicity may significantly interfere with the child's emotional growth and development. Advances in the understanding of the gastrointestinal enteric nervous system and epithelial function have led to the development of new classes of drugs. These include substances that bind to serotonin receptors or are chloride channel activators. Further studies are needed to assess the benefits and the risks of these new drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Naples "Federico II," Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Coccorullo
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Quitadamo
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Staiano
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003248:Constipation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D017615:Enteric Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents