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  • Title: Polyethylene glycol 4000 for treatment of functional constipation in children.
    Author: Dziechciarz P, Horvath A, Szajewska H.
    Journal: J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr; 2015 Jan; 60(1):65-8. PubMed ID: 25162362.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of 2 different polyethylene glycol (PEG) doses for the maintenance treatment of functional constipation in children. METHODS: Children with functional constipation according to the Rome III criteria were randomly assigned to receive PEG 4000 at a dose of either 0.7 g/kg (high-dose group; n = 45) or 0.3 g/kg (low-dose group; n = 47) for 6 weeks. Adjustment of the therapy was recommended in the event of <3 bowel movements (BM) per week or ≥3 BM per day. The primary outcome measure was treatment success, defined as ≥3 BM per week with no fecal soiling during the last week of the intervention. RESULTS: A total of 90 of 92 randomized children, with a mean age of 3.7 ± 2.1 years, completed the study. In the analysis based on allocated treatment, treatment success was similar in both groups (relative risk 0.9, 95% confidence interval 0.78-1.03). Compared with the high-dose PEG group, the low-dose PEG group had an increased need for therapy adjustment of borderline significance (relative risk 2.0, 95% confidence interval 1.0-4.2), an increased risk of painful defecation, a lower number of stools per week, and lower parental satisfaction. Adverse events were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: To achieve treatment success, both tested doses of PEG were equally safe and effective in the treatment of children with functional constipation.
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