Abstract
Background/Purpose: The authors' 15-year experience with children shows a high percentage of recurrence of functional constipation (FC) with conventional treatment. These data, confirmed in the international literature, led them to develop a new therapeutic approach. The aim of this study was to achieve intestinal control and avoid recurrence of FC in children through use of medical-psychological treatment. Methods: The authors studied 25 children (18 boys; mean age, 4.7 years; range, 2,10 to 7), 20% of whom had anal fissure, 30% retentive soiling, 52% pain on defecation, and 88% fecal retention owing to FC. Children and parents were questioned about eating and sleeping habits, school, toilet training, and daily routine. Treatment included increasing water and fiber intake, laxatives, and family therapy including making rules and working on autonomy and paternal role. Results: Mean onset of FC was 3.5 years, after "stressful events" in 88%. The questionnaire shows that 68% lacked parental autonomy and authority; 84% of children decided on their own about eating habits and sleeping; 68% had a "peripheral" father with a mother-child symbiotic relationship. After one month of therapy, 92% of children showed a modification of at least 2 behavioral patterns; after 3 months, 88% had regular bowel movements. During follow-up (range, 6 to 28 months), 48% had 2 or 3 recurrent episodes. After one year, 68% had reinforced the new behavioral patterns with resolution of the pathologic aspects, Conclusions: A multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of childhood functional constipation showed consistent therapeutic results by making rules and by equalizing family roles.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 819-823 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Journal of Pediatric Surgery |
| Volume | 38 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - May 1 2003 |
Fingerprint
Keywords
- Constipation
- Encopresis
- Fecal incontinence
- Intervention
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery
Cite this
Combined approach to functional constipation in children. / Amendola, Silvia; De Angelis, P.; Dall'Oglio, L.; Di Abriola, G. Federici; Di Lorenzo, M.
In: Journal of Pediatric Surgery, Vol. 38, No. 5, 01.05.2003, p. 819-823.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Combined approach to functional constipation in children
AU - Amendola, Silvia
AU - De Angelis, P.
AU - Dall'Oglio, L.
AU - Di Abriola, G. Federici
AU - Di Lorenzo, M.
PY - 2003/5/1
Y1 - 2003/5/1
N2 - Background/Purpose: The authors' 15-year experience with children shows a high percentage of recurrence of functional constipation (FC) with conventional treatment. These data, confirmed in the international literature, led them to develop a new therapeutic approach. The aim of this study was to achieve intestinal control and avoid recurrence of FC in children through use of medical-psychological treatment. Methods: The authors studied 25 children (18 boys; mean age, 4.7 years; range, 2,10 to 7), 20% of whom had anal fissure, 30% retentive soiling, 52% pain on defecation, and 88% fecal retention owing to FC. Children and parents were questioned about eating and sleeping habits, school, toilet training, and daily routine. Treatment included increasing water and fiber intake, laxatives, and family therapy including making rules and working on autonomy and paternal role. Results: Mean onset of FC was 3.5 years, after "stressful events" in 88%. The questionnaire shows that 68% lacked parental autonomy and authority; 84% of children decided on their own about eating habits and sleeping; 68% had a "peripheral" father with a mother-child symbiotic relationship. After one month of therapy, 92% of children showed a modification of at least 2 behavioral patterns; after 3 months, 88% had regular bowel movements. During follow-up (range, 6 to 28 months), 48% had 2 or 3 recurrent episodes. After one year, 68% had reinforced the new behavioral patterns with resolution of the pathologic aspects, Conclusions: A multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of childhood functional constipation showed consistent therapeutic results by making rules and by equalizing family roles.
AB - Background/Purpose: The authors' 15-year experience with children shows a high percentage of recurrence of functional constipation (FC) with conventional treatment. These data, confirmed in the international literature, led them to develop a new therapeutic approach. The aim of this study was to achieve intestinal control and avoid recurrence of FC in children through use of medical-psychological treatment. Methods: The authors studied 25 children (18 boys; mean age, 4.7 years; range, 2,10 to 7), 20% of whom had anal fissure, 30% retentive soiling, 52% pain on defecation, and 88% fecal retention owing to FC. Children and parents were questioned about eating and sleeping habits, school, toilet training, and daily routine. Treatment included increasing water and fiber intake, laxatives, and family therapy including making rules and working on autonomy and paternal role. Results: Mean onset of FC was 3.5 years, after "stressful events" in 88%. The questionnaire shows that 68% lacked parental autonomy and authority; 84% of children decided on their own about eating habits and sleeping; 68% had a "peripheral" father with a mother-child symbiotic relationship. After one month of therapy, 92% of children showed a modification of at least 2 behavioral patterns; after 3 months, 88% had regular bowel movements. During follow-up (range, 6 to 28 months), 48% had 2 or 3 recurrent episodes. After one year, 68% had reinforced the new behavioral patterns with resolution of the pathologic aspects, Conclusions: A multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of childhood functional constipation showed consistent therapeutic results by making rules and by equalizing family roles.
KW - Constipation
KW - Encopresis
KW - Fecal incontinence
KW - Intervention
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0038674251&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0038674251&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/jpsu.2003.50174
DO - 10.1016/jpsu.2003.50174
M3 - Article
VL - 38
SP - 819
EP - 823
JO - Journal of Pediatric Surgery
JF - Journal of Pediatric Surgery
SN - 0022-3468
IS - 5
ER -