Long-term Efficacy of Polyethylene Glycol 3350 for the Treatment of Chroni Constipation in Children with and without Encopresis

Abstract

Seventy-four children (43 with chronic constipation, 31 with constipation and encopresis) treated with polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG) for longer than 3 months were studied to assess long-term efficacy. The mean duration of PEG therapy was 8.4 months (range, 3-30). Weekly stool frequency, stool consistency, and symptoms associated with constipation improved significantly with PEG therapy in all 74 patients. In 31 children with encopresis, soiling ceased completely in 16 patients and frequency of soiling decreased significantly in all others. The average effective long-term dose of PEG was 0.7 g/kg/day. Long-term PEG therapy is effective for the treatment of chronic constipation with and without encopresis in children.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

1. Loening-Baucke V . Constipation in early childhood: patient characteristics, treatment, and long-term follow-up. Gut. 1993;34:1400-1404.

2. Baker SS , Liptak GS , Colletti RB , et al. Constipation in infants and children: evaluation and treatment. A medical position statement of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. J Pediair Gastroenterol Nutr 1999;29:612-626.

3. Pashankar DS , Bishop WP . Efficacy and optimal dose of daily polyethylene glycol 3350 for treatment of constipation and encopresis in children. J Pediatr 2001;139:428-432.

4. Loening-Baucke V . Polyethylene glycol without electrolytes for children with constipation and encopresis. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2002; 34:372-377.

5. Gremse DA , Hixon J , Crutchfield A . Comparison of polyethylene glycol 3350 and lactulose for treatment of chronic constipation in children. Clin Pediatr 2002;41:225-229.

6. Pashankar DS , Loening-Baucke V , Bishop WP . Safety of polyethylene glycol 3350 for the treatment of chronic constipation in children. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2003;157:661-664.

7. Di Piro JT , Mchael KA , Clark BA , et al. Absorption of polyethylene glycol after administration of a PEG-electrolyte lavage solution. Clin Pharmacol. 1986;5:153-155.

8. Di Palma JA , De Ridder PH , Orlando RC , et al. A randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter study of the safety and efficacy of a new polyethylene glycol laxative. Ain J Gastroenterol. 2000;95:446-450.

9. Cleveland MVB , Flavin DP , Ruben RA , et al. New polyethylene glycol laxative for treatment of constipation in adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study. South Medj. 2001;94:478-481.

10.

10. Loening-Baucke V . Balloon defecation as a predictor of outcome in children with functional constipation and encopresis.J Pediatr. 1996;128:336-340.

11.

11. Borowitz SM , Cox DJ , Sutphen JL , et al. Treatment of childhood encopresis: a randomized trial comparing three treatment protocols. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2002;34:378-384.

12.

12. Nolan T , Debelle G , Oberklaid F , et al. Randomized trial of laxatives in treatment of childhood encopresis. Lancet. 1991;338:523-527.