title: Comparison of Polyethylene Glycol-Electrolyte Solution vs Polyethylene Glycol-3350 for the Treatment of Fecal Impaction in Pediatric Patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution vs polyethylene glycol-3350 for the treatment of fecal impaction in pediatric patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective, observational, institutional review board-approved study was conducted over a 1-year time period. Patients were included in the study if they were admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of fecal impaction or constipation and were treated with either polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution (PEG-ES) or polyethylene glycol-3350 (PEG-3350). Patients were excluded if they were discharged prior to resolution of treatment and/or did not receive PEG-ES or PEG-3350.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-one patients (ranging in age from 1 month to 15 years) were evaluated: 23 patients received PEG-ES and 28 patients received PEG-3350. Sex, race, age, and weight were not statistically different between the 2 groups. Resolution of fecal impaction was not significantly different between PEG-ES vs PEG-3350 (87% and 86%, respectively; p = 0.87). There was only 1 reported side effect with PEG-3350, vs 11 reported side effects with PEG-ES (p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Theses results suggest that PEG-3350 is as effective as PEG-ES for the treatment of fecal impaction in pediatric patients and is associated with fewer side effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatal Clinical Pharmacy at the James and Connie Maynard Children's Hospital at Vidant Medical Center, Greenville, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Erin E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Boles
authors.affiliation: The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy, Memphis, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Cameryn L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Gaines
authors.affiliation: Departments of Clinical Pharmacy and Pediatrics, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, The Children's Foundation Research Institute at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, State of Tennessee Center of Excellence in Pediatric Pharmacokinetics and Therapeutics, Memphis, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Emma M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Tillman
keywords: constipation; fecal impaction; pediatrics; polyethylene glycol-3350; polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution