Purpose: To compare the effectiveness, tolerability, acceptability, and safety of sodium picosulphate with magnesium citrate (PS/Mg) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) in children (≤18 years) preparing for colonoscopy. Methods: Three electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched till July 2020. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. At least two authors independently selected studies and performed risk of bias assessment and data extraction. Results: Four RCTs (n=390), with overall good quality were included. A meta-analysis of two trials (n=224) found no statistically significant difference between the groups with respect to the proportion of patients who had excellent and good scores (≥6 points) according to the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (relative risk: 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.90 to 1.08). Excellent and good scores were observed in both groups in approximately 90% of children. A meta-analysis of two other trials (n=150) showed no significant difference between the groups with respect to the mean total score for the Ottawa Bowel Preparation Scale (mean difference: 0.20; 95% CI: −0.74 to 1.14). Both regimens provided a comparable safety profile; however, PS/Mg was significantly superior to high volume PEG in terms of tolerability (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating/flatulence/fullness) and acceptability (ease of formulation consumption, taste acceptance, need for nasogastric tube, compliance with full dose). Conclusion PS/Mg provides a quality and safety profile similar to PEG for bowel cleansing;however, it has better acceptance and tolerance in children preparing for colonoscopy.

PURPOSE: The Cow's Milk-related Symptom Score (CoMiSS™), which considers crying, regurgitation, stools, skin and respiratory symptoms, was developed as an awareness tool for evaluating cow's milk-related symptoms. The scoring ranges from 0 to 33. A score ≥12 was proposed as being likely cow's milk-related and suggestive of allergy to cow's milk. This study aimed to determine the age-related CoMiSS™ values in presumed healthy infants in Poland.METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in well-child clinics in two locations. Parents of the presumed healthy infants aged ≤6 months were approached during a routine checkup/vaccination visit. The exclusion criteria were as follows: presence of acute or chronic diseases, preterm delivery, treatment with therapeutic formula, and use of any food supplements (except vitamins) or medications.RESULTS: Data from 226 infants were obtained (median age [Q1–Q3], 4 months [3–4]). The overall median (Q1–Q3) and mean (standard deviation) CoMiSS™ values were 4 (2–7) and 4.7 (3.5), respectively. The 95th percentile was 11. Scores on some, albeit not all, components of the CoMiSS™ significantly differed between age groups (crying, stools) or feeding type groups (stools and skin symptoms). Eleven children (4.9%) scored ≥12.CONCLUSION: This study adds to earlier age-related CoMiSS™ data by providing CoMiSS™ values in presumed healthy infants in Poland.
Child ; Chronic Disease ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Crying ; Dietary Supplements ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Infant ; Milk ; Parents ; Poland ; Skin