Treating Children with Constipation and Encopresis with Concomitant Different Diagnosis Using Polyethylene Glycol (Peg) 3350 with Electrolytes (Movicol ®)

Abstract

PURPOSE Constipation without a specific cause is not uncommon in paediatric patients. This retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness and dose needed, of Movicolâ (sachet 13,8g) in children with different diagnosis, to normalize defecation and to find out any adverse effect to Movicol. MATERIAL AND METHODS There were 53 patients, 37 boys and 16 girls (1-21years of age) with constipation and/or encopresis, referred to our pelvic floor therapy unit .The concomitant diagnosis involved neurological and psychiatric problems, CNS-damage, pelvic floor malformation and others. All children were followed for at least 2 years. The initial dose was 0,25- 0,5 sachet. RESULTS Bristol scale index improved from 2 to 4. Dose to reach Bristol 4, was 0,25-0,5 sachets. Before treatment 28/53 had encopresis and after treatment 14/28. Painful defecation had 22/53 while afterwards 0/22. Abdominal pain had 32/53 before and 4/32 after. Nausea and vomiting had 15/53 before and 10/15 after. Diapers were used by 14/53 before treatment and by 4/14 after. Urine incontinence was found in 15/53 before and 12/15 after and enuresis in 21/53 before and 12/21 after treatment. The only adverse events were a few mild episodes of nausea and difficulties in consistency. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with Movicolâ normalized consistency and frequency, reduced abdominal pain and pain at defecation as well as leak episodes. This regime also improved, enuresis and the need of diapers. These data shows that Movicolâ is effective in children with various types of concomitant diagnosis when they need treatment for constipation and/or encopresis.