Use of electrolyte-containing polyethylene glycol in childhood constipation

Aim: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of polyethylene glycol (PEG 3350) as a therapy in children after the age of one year. Material and Method: The study included 50 cases, aged between 1-12 years. All of the cases were prescribed PEG 3350. We aimed one or two painless soft bowel actions per day as the effectiveness of therapy. We filled a form including every patient's history and physical examination. Complete blood counts with differential, liver and renal function tests, electrolytes of each patient were recorded. All cases were evaluated every month while on PEG 3350. Wilcoxon test was used for comparing values before and after the therapy. Results: The study included cases whose mean age was 4.6 years. The mean duration of constipation was found 16.8 months. Eight cases (16%) had bloody stools, seven cases (14%) had abdominal pain, 35 cases (70%) had pain with defecation, 15 cases (30%) had encopresis besides the constipation complaint. Thirty patients (60%) had another pharmacologic treatment. All children were prescribed PEG 3350 with electrolytes. The effective dose which means one or two painless, soft defecation was found at a mean dose of 0.75 gr/kg/day. The time for resolution of constipation was 10.4 days averagely. The average duration of theaphy was 5.5 months. When we compared bowel movements per day before and after theraphy we found a significant differance. Conclusions: Low dose PEG 3350 with electrolytes (0.65-0.75 gr/kg/day) is safe and effective in childhood constipation.