title: [Colon transit time in children and young adults with open spinal dysraphism].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with open spinal dysraphism (OSD) frequently present constipation and incontinence requiring treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Evaluation of colon transit time (CTT) in patients with OSD, in relation to neural lesion, mobility, bowel habits, and continence status.
  
  
  METHODS
  OSD patients aged between 6 and 20 years, who did not use antegrade enemas, were invited to participate in the study. Data from the medical file and information retrieved by questionnaires for constipation and incontinence were collected. The control group consisted of 13 healthy age-matched children. CTT was measured using the 6-day pellet method with an abdominal X-ray on day 7. Laxatives were continued and retrograde colon enemas were stopped 48h prior the X-ray.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty of the 33 patients who met the inclusion criteria agreed to participate. Twelve (40%) patients were constipated (Rome III criteria) despite treatment. Fifteen (50%) were continent, with or without treatment. Total CTT was significantly longer in OSD patients (median CTT: 86.4h vs. 43.2h controls). Constipated OSD patients had a significantly prolonged CTT compared to non-constipated patients (CTT: 125.4h vs. 51.6h). Spontaneous continent OSD patients had a normal CTT (CTT: 33.6h). An abnormal CTT predicted the necessity of treatment to achieve continence (P<0.006).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CTT in OSD patients is significantly prolonged, indicating a neurogenic involvement of the bowel and a slow transit constipation. An abnormal CTT predicts the necessity of therapy to achieve fecal continence.
authors.affiliation: Département de gastroentérologie pédiatrique, hôpital universitaire de Gand, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Gand, Belgique.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pratte
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vande Velde
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Meersschaut
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Verhelst
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Bruyne
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Verstraete
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Winckel
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Van Biervliet
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003106:Colon / Q000503:physiopathology*; D044682:Colon, Ascending / Q000503:physiopathology; D044683:Colon, Descending / Q000503:physiopathology; D012809:Colon, Sigmoid / Q000503:physiopathology; D003248:Constipation / Q000503:physiopathology; D003672:Defecation / Q000502:physiology; D004733:Enema; D005244:Fecal Impaction / Q000503:physiopathology; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D054368:Laxatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016137:Spina Bifida Cystica / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D054368:Laxatives