PURPOSE: Functional constipation (FC) is a common gastrointestinal (GI) problem affecting children's well-being and quality of life. Although polyethylene glycol (PEG) is recommended as the first line therapy, it is not always applicable in lower socioeconomic populations. Hence, this study aimed to compare clinical courses of FC in children treated with different medications in order to identify prognostic factors related to treatment outcomes. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of patients aged ≤15 years diagnosed with FC according to the Rome IV criteria from 2007 to 2015 at the GI clinic, Songklanagarind Hospital. Baseline characteristic, medical history, and treatment outcomes were collected at first and subsequent visits. RESULTS: Exactly 104 patients (median age at diagnosis, 2.8 years) were diagnosed with FC. The number of follow-up visits per patient ranged from 1 to 35. The median duration of follow-up was 18.0 months (range, 6.0–84.2 months). PEG was given to 21% of patients. During the follow up period, 76% of patients experienced first recovery with a median time to recovery of 9.8 months. There were no significant differences in time until first recovery and relapse between patients who received and those who did not receive PEG (p=0.99 and 0.06, respectively). Age >6 years, normal defecation frequency, no history of cow's milk protein allergy, and use of laxatives were associated with successful outcomes. CONCLUSION: Treatment outcomes between patients who had and never had PEG demonstrated no significant difference in our study. Hence, current practices in laxative prescriptive patterns may be effective.
Child ; Constipation* ; Defecation ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Laxatives ; Medical Records ; Milk Proteins ; Polyethylene Glycols ; Quality of Life ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies* ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: Lactose intolerance (LI) is perceived to be frequent in Asia and has been reported to have considerable impact on dietary intake, nutritional status and the quality of life. We aimed to gather information from healthcare professionals on the perceived incidence, diagnosis and management of LI in 1 to 5 year old children in Southeast Asia. METHODS: An anonymous electronic survey was sent randomly among healthcare professionals registered in the database of the pediatric societies in Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore between June and October 2016. RESULTS: In total, 259 health care professionals responded of which 45.5% (n=118) were from Thailand, 37.4% (n=97) from Indonesia and 16.9% (n=44) from Singapore. Of the participants who responded (n=248), primary LI prevalence among children 1 to 3 years of age was estimated to be less than 5% by 56.8%. However, about 18.9% (n=47) answered they did not know/unsure. Regarding secondary LI, 61.6% of respondents (n=153) estimated the prevalence to be less than 15%. But again, 10.8% (n=27) answered they did not know or unsure. Rotavirus gastroenteritis was ranked as the top cause for secondary LI. There was considerable heterogeneity in the diagnostic methods used. The majority of respondents (75%) recommended lactose-free milk to manage primary and secondary LI. CONCLUSION: More education/training of pediatricians on this topic and further epidemiological studies using a more systematic approach are required.
Anonyms and Pseudonyms ; Asia ; Asia, Southeastern ; Child* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Diagnosis ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Far East* ; Gastroenteritis ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Incidence ; Indonesia ; Lactose Intolerance* ; Lactose* ; Milk ; Nutritional Status ; Population Characteristics ; Prevalence* ; Quality of Life ; Rotavirus ; Singapore ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Thailand