Assessing indicators and clinical differences between functional and organic childhood constipation: a retrospective study in pediatric gastroenterology clinics
Background Chronic constipation is common among children worldwide. Constipation includes functional constipation (FC) and organic constipation (OC). The early recognition of the causes of childhood constipation and its subsequent complications is important. Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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The Korean Pediatric Society
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.e-cep.org/upload/pdf/cep-2022-01298.pdf |
| _version_ | 1797788200610037760 |
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| author | Hasan M. Isa Fatema A. Alkharsi Fatema A. Salman Maryam S. Ali Zahra K. Abdulnabibi Afaf M. Mohamed |
| author_facet | Hasan M. Isa Fatema A. Alkharsi Fatema A. Salman Maryam S. Ali Zahra K. Abdulnabibi Afaf M. Mohamed |
| author_sort | Hasan M. Isa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Chronic constipation is common among children worldwide. Constipation includes functional constipation (FC) and organic constipation (OC). The early recognition of the causes of childhood constipation and its subsequent complications is important. Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and causes of childhood constipation and compare the clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of children with FC versus OC to identify the predictive factors. Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed children with FC or OC diagnosed in pediatric gastroenterology clinics, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain, 2017–2021. The Rome IV criteria were used to define FC. Results A total of 7,287 gastroenterology appointments were attended by 4,346 children during the study period. Of the 639 children (14.7%) with constipation, 616 (96.4%) were included in the study. Most patients had FC (n=511, 83%), whereas 17% (n=105) had OC. FC was more common in females than in males. Children with OC were younger (P<0.001) and had lower body weights (P<0.001), more stunted growth (P<0.001), and more associated diseases (P= 0.037) than those with FC. Enuresis was the most associated disease (n=21, 3.4%). Organic causes included neurological, allergic, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and genetic diseases. Allergies to cow milk protein were the most common (n=35, 5.7%). The presence of mucus in the stool was more common in OC than in FC (P=0.041), but no other symptoms or physical findings differed. A total of 587 patients (95.3%) received medication, among which lactulose was commonly prescribed (n=395, 64.1%). There were no intergroup differences in nationality, sex, body mass index, seasonal variation, laxative type, or treatment response. A good response was observed in 114 patients (90.5%). Conclusion Chronic constipation represented a significant proportion of outpatient gastroenterology visits. FC was the most common type. Young children with a low body weight, stunted growth, mucus in the stool, or associated diseases should be assessed for an underlying organic cause. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T01:33:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a2ab65ceedb44fbcacd185ae3a129669 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2713-4148 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T01:33:11Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | The Korean Pediatric Society |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics |
| spelling | doaj.art-a2ab65ceedb44fbcacd185ae3a1296692023-07-04T06:32:24ZengThe Korean Pediatric SocietyClinical and Experimental Pediatrics2713-41482023-07-0166729630610.3345/cep.2022.0129820125555624Assessing indicators and clinical differences between functional and organic childhood constipation: a retrospective study in pediatric gastroenterology clinicsHasan M. Isa0Fatema A. Alkharsi1Fatema A. Salman2Maryam S. Ali3Zahra K. Abdulnabibi4Afaf M. Mohamed5 Pediatric Department, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain Pediatric Department, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Manama, Bahrain Alsnan Medical Center, Riffa, Bahrain Albayan Medical Center, Sitra, Bahrain Dr. Suliman Alfaqeeh Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Public Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, Manama, BahrainBackground Chronic constipation is common among children worldwide. Constipation includes functional constipation (FC) and organic constipation (OC). The early recognition of the causes of childhood constipation and its subsequent complications is important. Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and causes of childhood constipation and compare the clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of children with FC versus OC to identify the predictive factors. Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed children with FC or OC diagnosed in pediatric gastroenterology clinics, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain, 2017–2021. The Rome IV criteria were used to define FC. Results A total of 7,287 gastroenterology appointments were attended by 4,346 children during the study period. Of the 639 children (14.7%) with constipation, 616 (96.4%) were included in the study. Most patients had FC (n=511, 83%), whereas 17% (n=105) had OC. FC was more common in females than in males. Children with OC were younger (P<0.001) and had lower body weights (P<0.001), more stunted growth (P<0.001), and more associated diseases (P= 0.037) than those with FC. Enuresis was the most associated disease (n=21, 3.4%). Organic causes included neurological, allergic, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and genetic diseases. Allergies to cow milk protein were the most common (n=35, 5.7%). The presence of mucus in the stool was more common in OC than in FC (P=0.041), but no other symptoms or physical findings differed. A total of 587 patients (95.3%) received medication, among which lactulose was commonly prescribed (n=395, 64.1%). There were no intergroup differences in nationality, sex, body mass index, seasonal variation, laxative type, or treatment response. A good response was observed in 114 patients (90.5%). Conclusion Chronic constipation represented a significant proportion of outpatient gastroenterology visits. FC was the most common type. Young children with a low body weight, stunted growth, mucus in the stool, or associated diseases should be assessed for an underlying organic cause.http://www.e-cep.org/upload/pdf/cep-2022-01298.pdfchildrenfunctional constipationrome ivorganic constipationtreatment |
| spellingShingle | Hasan M. Isa Fatema A. Alkharsi Fatema A. Salman Maryam S. Ali Zahra K. Abdulnabibi Afaf M. Mohamed Assessing indicators and clinical differences between functional and organic childhood constipation: a retrospective study in pediatric gastroenterology clinics Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics children functional constipation rome iv organic constipation treatment |
| title | Assessing indicators and clinical differences between functional and organic childhood constipation: a retrospective study in pediatric gastroenterology clinics |
| title_full | Assessing indicators and clinical differences between functional and organic childhood constipation: a retrospective study in pediatric gastroenterology clinics |
| title_fullStr | Assessing indicators and clinical differences between functional and organic childhood constipation: a retrospective study in pediatric gastroenterology clinics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing indicators and clinical differences between functional and organic childhood constipation: a retrospective study in pediatric gastroenterology clinics |
| title_short | Assessing indicators and clinical differences between functional and organic childhood constipation: a retrospective study in pediatric gastroenterology clinics |
| title_sort | assessing indicators and clinical differences between functional and organic childhood constipation a retrospective study in pediatric gastroenterology clinics |
| topic | children functional constipation rome iv organic constipation treatment |
| url | http://www.e-cep.org/upload/pdf/cep-2022-01298.pdf |
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