Efficient methods of therapy of pediatric functional constipation

Constipation holds an important place among the functional gastrointestinal disorders. The following are among the main reasons for the development of functional constipation: alimentary factors, impaired nervous and endocrine regulation (functional immaturity of the colon, perinatal injury of the central nervous system, endocrine disease), psychosomatic factors, hypodynamia, previous intestinal infections, iatrogenic effects, food allergies and anorectal pathology, genetic predisposition. Treatment of constipation should be comprehensive and include lifestyle maneuvers, dietary recommendations, dietary fibres and water schedule, pharmacotherapy, biofeedback, and surgical methods. Stimulant laxatives (sodium picosulfate, bisacodyl) are effective drugs among the medications used to treat constipation. A sodium picosulfate drug is an effective stimulant laxative, which has a triple effect: stimulation of bowel movements, reduction of the evacuation time and softening stools. The efficacy and safety of the drug was studied in a multicenter, parallel, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study in patients with chronic constipation. The article presents our own experience – a clinical observation – of the use of sodium picosulfate. 26 children with chronic constipation aged from 1 to 7 years, who had stool retention from 3 to 7 days, were observed. The inclusion of a stimulant sodium picosulfate laxative in the comprehensive functional chronic constipation therapy in children aged 1 to 7 years at age-specific dosage variances for 7 days showed high clinical efficacy, which resulted in the normalization of stool in 76.9% of children, facilitating bowel movements and improvement of children’s well-being. This drug can be recommended in the comprehensive therapy of functional constipation in children.