Standard medical therapies do not alter colonic transit time in children with treatment-resistant slow-transit constipation

Background  Slow transit constipation (STC) is a form of chronic constipation characterised by prolonged passage of faecal matter through the colon. It is diagnosed by demonstrating delayed colonic transit on gastrointestinal transit studies. Traditionally, radio-opaque marker studies are performed. Recently, radioisotope nuclear transit studies (NTS) have been used in our centre to assess gastrointestinal transit time. This study aimed to evaluate if there are changes in colonic transit in STC children resistant to standard medical treatment over a prolonged period. Methods  Children with STC resistant to standard medical therapy for ≥2 years who had undergone two separate NTS to assess their colonic transit (where the first study had identified slow colonic transit without anorectal retention) were identified after ethical approval. The geometric centre (GC) of radioisotope activity at 6, 24, 30 and 48 h was compared in the two transit studies to determine if changes occurred. Results  Seven children (4 males) with proven STC resistant to standard medical therapy and two transit studies performed at different times were identified. Mean age was 7.0 years (5.4–10.8 years) at first study, and 11.4 years (9.7–14.2 years) at second study, with a mean of 4.4 years (1–8.5 years) between studies. There was no significant difference in colonic transit at any timepoint in the two tests (paired t test). Conclusions  We conclude that nuclear transit studies are reproducible in assessing slow colonic transit in children with treatment-resistant STC and demonstrate that conventional medical treatment over many years has no effect on underlying colonic motility.     

Gastrointestinal transit in children with chronic idiopathic constipation

Abstract  Chronic constipation in children is common and produces significant morbidity. Identification of the site of dysmotility in constipation may determine the cause and permit directed management. Scintigraphy differentiates constipated patients with anorectal hold-up from those with colonic slowing. Adults with colonic slowing demonstrate variation in the site of hold-up. However, in children with colonic slowing, variability in the site of hold-up has not been investigated. Purpose  The current study aimed to characterise colonic transit patterns in 64 children with chronic idiopathic constipation. Methods  Scintigraphic images were grouped visually by their transit patterns. Intra-observer variation was assessed. Scintigraphic data were analysed quantitatively. Results  Visual analysis of scintigraphy studies demonstrated normal transit (11/64), anorectal hold-up (7/64) and slow colonic transit (46/64). Transit characteristics in the slow transit group demonstrated three possible subgroups: pancolonic slowing (28/46), discrete hold-up in the transverse colon (10/46) and abnormal small and large bowel transit (8/46). Kappa testing demonstrated consistent characterisation (k = 0.79). Statistical analysis of scintigraphic data demonstrated highly significant differences from normal (P < 0.001) in the subgroups. Conclusion  Scintigraphy demonstrates three possible transit patterns in children with chronic constipation secondary to slow colonic transit.     

Chronic constipation in children: organic disorders are a major cause

Diagnostic tools for paediatric chronic constipation have been limited, leading to over 90% of patients with treatment-resistant constipation being diagnosed with chronic idiopathic constipation, with no discernible organic cause. Work in our institution suggests that a number of children with intractable symptoms actually have slow colonic transit leading to slow transit constipation. This paper reviews recent data suggesting that a significant number of the children with chronic treatment-resistant constipation may have organic causes (slow colonic transit and outlet obstruction) and suggests new approaches to the management of children with chronic treatment-resistant constipation.     

Defaecation disorders in children,colonic transit time versus the Barr-score

It is still unclear how to evaluate the existence of faecal retention or impaction in children with defaecation disorders. To objectivate the presence and degree of constipation we measured segmental and total colonic transit times (CTT) using radio-opaque markers in 211 constipated children. On clinical grounds, patients (median age 8 years (5–14 years)) could be divided into three groups; constipation, isolated encopresis/soiling and recurrent abdominal pain. Barr-scores, a method for assessment of stool retention using plain abdominal radiographs, were obtained in the first 101 patients, for comparison with CTT measurements as to the clinical outcome. Of the children with constipation, 48% showed significantly prolonged total and segmental CTT. Surprisingly, 91% and 91%, respectively, of the encopresis/soiling and recurrent abdominal pain children had a total CTT within normal limits, suggesting that no motility disorder was present. Prolonged CTT through all segments, known as colonic inertia, was found in the constipation group only. Based on significant differences in clinical presentation, CTT and colonic transit patterns, encopresis/soiling children formed a separate entity among children with defaecation disorders, compared to children with constipation. Recurrent abdominal pain in children was in the great majority, not related to constipation. Barr-scores were poorly reproducible, with low inter-and intra-observer reliability. This is the first study which shows that clinical differences in constipated children are associated with different colonic transit patterns. The usefulness of CTT measurements lies in the objectivation of complaints and the discrimination of certain transit patterns.Conclusion Abdominal radiographs, even when assessed with the Barr-score proved unreliable in diagnosing constipation. Marker studies should be performed in the second stage of evaluation after failure of initial therapy.     

Slow transit constipation in children

Patients with chronic constipation that fails to respond to treatment remain a challenge for paediatricians and surgeons. Ongoing work in our institution suggests that a number of children with intractable symptoms have slow transit constipation, which has only been described recently in paediatrics. Common features of slow transit are: delayed passage of the first meconium stool beyond 24 h of age, symptoms of severe constipation within a year, or treatment-resistant 'encopresis' at 2-3 years, soft stools despite infrequent bowel actions, and delay in colonic transit on a transit study. A proportion of children with slow transit constipation have an abnormality of intestinal innervation associated with the dysfunctional colonic motility, recognized as intestinal neuronal dysplasia (IND). Intestinal neuronal dysplasia type B, the most common variant of IND, is defined on rectal biopsy by hyperplasia of the submucosal plexus. On laparoscopic colon muscle biopsy, many specimens show reduced numbers of excitatory substance P-immunoreactive nerve fibres in the circular muscle. Functional markers of the nerves allow new diagnostic criteria to be developed which may also allow a more rational approach to treatment. The aetiology remains obscure and the optimal management poorly defined, although subtotal colectomy, proximal colostomy or appendicostomy (for antegrade enemas) have been tried. Once the anatomy and physiology of the colon in children with slow colonic transit is better understood, we will have defined not only a new form of constipation, but also will be able to consider new therapies.     

The clinical value of solid marker transit studies in childhood constipation and soiling

Assessment of constipation in childhood is difficult, particularly when the presenting symptom is spurious diarrhoea or faecal incontinence. We have therefore assessed the clinical usefulness, reliability and acceptibility of a solid marker transit technique in 52 patients with constipation (median age 8.0 years; range 2–13.5 years) at two referral centres. Median duration of symptoms was 60 months. Soiling was a prominent feature in 43 children (83%). Ten, 3 mm pieces of 6FG radio-opaque Silastic tubing were given orally at 9am on days 1, 2 and 3 and a plain abdominal film taken on day 5. Laxative treatment was not interrupted. Each film was divided into right colon, left colon and rectosigmoid areas, using bony landmarks, and the marker content of each area counted. The coefficient of variation of intra and inter-observer errors was 3.1% and 2.1% respectively. By day 5, 7% (group median) of markers were still in the right colon, 17% in the left colon and 42% in the rectosigmoid. Twenty-one patients(40%) had normal transit, 4 (8%) mild delay, 9 (17%) moderate and 18 (35%) severe transit delay. Marker distribution indicated slow pancolonic transit in 29% and slow segmental transit in 10%. In 21%, clustering of markers in the rectosigmoid suggested outlet obstruction. A significant correlation was found between both transit delay and marker distribution and the severity of clinical symptoms of constipation and soiling. Repeat studies in six children following colonic evacuation revealed significant improvement (P< 0.05) in marker transit. The test was well tolerated and was useful in establishing the diagnosis of constipation in children with soiling or spurious diarrhoea and in assessment of its severity and its response to treatment.     

Total and segmental colonic transit time and anorectal manometry in children with chronic idiopathic constipation

BACKGROUND: Constipation is a frequent symptom in pediatric clinical practice, although the underlying pathogenesis is not fully understood. Estimating the colonic transit time may help identify subgroups of patients with different physiopathologic mechanisms. METHODS: Thirty children with normal bowel habits and 38 children with chronic idiopathic constipation, aged 2 to 14 years, were studied. The total and segmental colonic transit times were estimated by administering multiple radiopaque markers for 6 days and performing a single abdominal radiograph on day 7. Anorectal function was evaluated using manometry with an Arhan probe. RESULTS: The observed upper reference values were 19.02 hours for the right colon, 19 hours for the left colon, 32 hours for the rectosigmoid colon, and 45.7 hours for the total colon. Fifty percent of the children with chronic idiopathic constipation had colonic transit times within reference values, whereas 37% had left colonic and rectosigmoid delays and 13% had global delay in all colonic segments (colonic inertia). Paradoxic anal contraction was observed in 64% of the constipated children with distal delay but in none of the subjects with colonic inertia. CONCLUSIONS: Estimating colonic transit time is a simple and noninvasive technique for classifying patients with constipation. Colonic inertia may be a manifestation of global motility dysfunction. Children with delayed distal colonic transits are more likely to have abnormal defecation dynamics.     

便秘患儿的胃肠传输时间测定及其意义

目的　初步测定正常中国儿童的胃肠传输时间并探讨胃肠传输时间对小儿便秘的病因、诊断和分型的意义。方法　研究对象分为对照组和便秘组。对照组 3 3例 ,男 2 1例 ,女 12例 ,平均年龄 5岁。便秘组 2 5例 ,男 15例 ,女 10例 ,平均年龄 7岁 ,均符合Benninga的便秘诊断标准。应用简化的不透X线标记物追踪法 ,即多次口服标记物一次摄片法测定正常和便秘儿童的全胃肠传输时间 (Totalgastrointestinaltransittime,TGITT)和节段性结肠传输时间 ,包括 :右半结肠传输时间 (Rightcolonictransittime ,RCTT) ;左半结肠传输时间 (Leftcolonictransittime ,LCTT)和直肠乙状结肠传输时间(Rectosigmoidcolonictransittime ,RSTT) ;部分患儿联合应用X线排便造影 ,探讨便秘的诊断和分型 ;结果　正常儿童的TGITT ,RCTT ,LCTT和RSTT分别为 2 8 7± 7 7小时、7 5± 3 2小时、6 5± 3 8小时和 13 4± 5 6小时 ;便秘组的TGITT ,LCTT和RSTT较对照组明显延长 (92 2± 5 5 5小时vs 2 8 7± 7 7小时 ,P <0 0 0 1;16 9± 12 6小时vs 6 5± 3 8小时 ,P <0 0 1;和 61 5± 2 9 0小时vs 13 4± 5 6小时 ,P <0 0 0 1)。RCTT无显著变化。X线排便造影显示直肠前突、会阴下降综合征和耻骨直肠肌痉挛综合征各 1例。结论　首次     

结肠传输时间测定和直肠肛管测压在儿童便秘中的意义

目的　小儿便秘的病理生理基础目前尚不清楚,该文对结肠传输时间和直肠肛管测压在儿童便秘 中应用的意义进行初步探讨。方法　对28例便秘儿童(便秘组)和43例正常儿童(对照组)进行全胃肠传输时间 (TGITT)、左半结肠传输时间(LCTT)、右半结肠传输时间(RCTT)和直肠乙状结肠传输时间(RSTT)测定和直肠肛 管向量测压(包括肛管压力、向量容积和对称指数)。根据结肠传输时间是否超过对照组均值加两个标准差将28 例便秘儿童分为传输时间正常型便秘组和传输时间延长型便秘组。结果　便秘组儿童TGITT、LCTT和RSTT较对 照组均显著延长(92±56hvs29±8h,17±13hvs7±4h,62±29hvs13±6h)(P均<0.01),肛管最大收缩压显 著升高(216±44mmHgvs190±38mmHg)(P<0.05),对称指数显著降低(0.71±0.06vs0.84±0.08)(P< 0.05),两组RCTT正常。传输时间正常型便秘组和传输时间延长型便秘组儿童肛管最大压力、向量容积和对称指 数差异无显著意义。结论　便秘儿童的结肠传输功能和/或直肠肛管动力存在不同程度异常;无论结肠传输时间 正常与否,所有便秘患儿均应进行直肠肛管测压检查。     

Scintigraphy evaluation of the types of functional constipation in children with bowel bladder dysfunction

PurposeTo evaluate the types of constipation according to colonic transit time in chronically constipated children with dysfunctional voiding (bowel bladder dysfunction, BBD group) and to compare the results with transit type in children with chronic functional constipation without urinary symptoms (constipation group) and children with normal bowel habits, but with lower urinary tract symptoms (control group).Patients and methodsOne-hundred and one children were included and their medical histories were obtained. The BBD group kept a voiding diary, and underwent urinalyses and urine culture, ultrasound examination of bladder and kidneys and uroflowmetry with pelvic floor electromyography. Radionuclear transit scintigraphy was performed in all children according to a standardized protocol. Patients were categorized as having either slow-transit (ST), functional fecal retention (FFR) or normal transit.ResultsFFR was diagnosed in 31 out of 38 children with BBD, and 34 out of 43 children in the constipation group. ST was found in seven children with BBD, compared with nine children in the constipation group. The control group children demonstrated normal colonic transit. Urgency, daily urinary incontinence and nocturnal enuresis were noted only in children with FFR. Both children with ST constipation and FFR complained of difficulties during voiding, voiding postponement and urinary tract infections.ConclusionsFFR is the most common form of constipation in children with dysfunctional voiding. However, some children might suffer from ST constipation. Differentiation between these two types of constipation is clinically significant because they require different treatment. Future studies with larger numbers of patients are needed to confirm the noted differences in urological symptoms in these two groups of constipated children..     

Orocoecal Transit Time in Healthy and Constipated Children

ABSTRACT. Orocoecal transit time (OCTT), assessed by means of H₂ breath test after lactulose and/or after a semisolid standard meal, was studied in normal and constipated children. Both control subjects and patients with constipation showed a significantly longer OCTT after a standard meal than after lactulose ingestion ( p <0.01). Whereas the OCTT after lactulose did not differ in the two groups, the constipated patients had a significantly longer transit time after a standard meal when compared to controls ( p <0.05). No correlation was observed within each group between the OCTT after a standard meal or after lactulose ingestion ( r =-0.077; p >0.1). These findings suggest that 1) measurement of the transit of a standard meal instead of a lactulose solution may offer more direct insight into the role of small intestinal transit of food, both in physiological and pathological conditions, 2) gastrointestinal segments other than colon may play a role in chronic non organic constipation of childhood.     

Is encopresis always the result of constipation?

Encopresis is often the result of chronic constipation in the majority of paediatric patients. In clinical practice, however, encopresis is also seen without constipation and it is unknown whether these two clinical variants are based on similar or different pathophysiological mechanisms, requiring different therapeutic approaches. We analysed clinical symptoms, colonic transit time (CTT), orocaecal transit time (OCTT), anorectal manometric profiles, and behavioural scores. Patients were divided into two groups, one consisted of 111 children with paediatric constipation, and another group of 50 children with encopresis and/or soiling without constipation. Significant clinical differences in children with encopresis/soiling existed compared with children with paediatric constipation regarding: bowel movements per week, the number of daytime soiling episodes, the presence of night time soiling, the presence and number of encopresis episodes, normal stools, pain during defecation, abdominal pain, and good appetite. Total and segmental CTT were significantly prolonged in paediatric constipation compared with encopresis/soiling, 62.4 (3.6-384) and 40.2 (10.8-104.4) hours, respectively. No significant differences were found in OCTT. Among the two groups, all manometric parameters were comparable, except for a significantly higher threshold of sensation in children with paediatric constipation. The defecation dynamics were abnormal in 59% and 46% in paediatric constipation and encopresis/soiling, respectively, and were significantly different from controls. Using the child behaviour checklist no significant differences were found when comparing children with paediatric constipation and encopresis/soiling, while both patient groups differed significantly from controls. In conclusion, our findings support the concept of the existence of encopresis as a distinct entity in children with defecation disorders. Identification of such children is based on clinical symptoms, that is, normal defecation frequency, absence of abdominal or rectal palpable mass, in combination with normal marker studies and normal anal manometric threshold of sensation, Thus, encopresis is not always the result of constipation and can be the only clinical presentation of a defecation disorder.     

The usefulness of ultrasound examination of the bowel as a method of assessment of functional chronic constipation in children

Background Ultrasonographic assessment of stool retention in children with chronic constipation requires the diagnosis of megarectum. Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate an atypical method of US assessment of megarectum, fecal impaction and enlarged colon in order to decide whether it can be used as an assessment method for children with functional chronic constipation. Materials and methods A total of 120 children with a positive diagnosis of chronic constipation were included in the study. All patients fulfilled the ROME II diagnostic criteria for defecation disorders. The control group comprised 105 patients with a normal defecation pattern. Children with a US diagnosis of megarectum, fecal impaction and enlarged colon were referred for proctoscopy and measurement of colonic transit time. Results The transverse diameter of the rectal ampulla increases with age and thus influenced the US measurements in both the patient and control groups. The numerical values of this parameter differed significantly between patients and controls in all age groups. The rectopelvic ratio is the ratio of the width of the rectal ampulla (as seen by US) to the distance between the anterior superior iliac spines (measured externally using a measuring tape). This allows the definition of megarectum. In the diagnosis of fecal impaction, US showed a sensitivity of 88.3% relative to proctoscopy. In children with fecal impaction the colonic transit time, average segmental transit time for the rectum and sigmoid colon, and average segmental transit time for the left colon were significantly longer. There was no statistically significant difference for the right side of the colon. Conclusion US assessment of stool retention and overfilling of the colon in children with functional chronic constipation has a high correlation with proctoscopy findings and colonic transit time. The rectopelvic ratio can be used to diagnose megarectum in children with functional chronic constipation with a cut-off value of 0.189.     

不同型别的功能性便秘患儿肛门直肠测压对照研究

目的探讨功能性便秘（FC）患儿与健康儿童肛门直肠动力学差异,为其临床分型诊断及治疗提供依据。方法采用功能性胃肠病罗马Ⅲ诊断标准,收集2008年1月至2009年1月在第四军医大学唐都医院儿科门诊及住院的FC患儿为FC组。选取同期无消化系统症状,平日排便正常的健康儿童为正常对照组。采用不透光X线硫酸钡条测定结肠传输指数（TI）,依据TI将FC组分为出口梗阻型（OOC）亚组、慢传输型（STC）亚组和混合型（MIX）亚组。通过肛门直肠测压法分析FC各亚组与正常对照组肛门直肠动力学差异。结果研究期间FC组纳入25例,其中STC亚组10例,OOC亚组15例,未发现MIX患儿;正常对照组纳入10名。FC组与正常对照组肛门括约肌静息压差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。STC亚组肛门括约肌最大收缩压与正常对照组差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,OOC亚组肛门括约肌最大收缩压显著高于正常对照组及STC亚组（P＜0.05）。FC组直肠最低敏感量及最大耐受量均显著高于正常对照组（P均＜0.05）。STC亚组与OOC亚组直肠最低敏感量及最大耐受量差异均无统计学意义（P均＞0.05）。结论FC患儿存在明显的肛门直肠动力和感觉异常;OOC和STC患儿的肛门直肠动力学存在差异。肛门直肠测压检查对协助诊断FC有一定价值。     

Slow-transit constipation in children: our experience

Constipation is a common problem in children, with childhood prevalence estimated at between 1 and 30%. It accounts for a significant percentage of referrals to paediatricians and paediatric gastroenterologists. It commonly runs in families, suggesting either an underlying genetic predisposition or common environmental factors, such as dietary exposure. The peak age for presentation of constipation is shortly after toilet training, when passage of hard stools can cause pain on defecation, which then triggers holding-on behaviour in the child. At the time of the next call to stool the toddler may try to prevent defecation by contraction of the pelvic floor muscles and anal sphincter. Unless the holding-on behaviour is quickly corrected by interventions to soften faeces and prevent further pain, the constipation can very rapidly become severe and chronic. Until recently, this mechanism was thought to be the only significant primary cause of constipation in childhood. In this review, we will summarise recent evidence to suggest that severe chronic constipation in children may also be due to slowed colonic transit.     

Measurement of colonic transit time in children

Transit times through the whole colon and its segments were measured in 10 healthy children and 14 children suffering constipation secondary to myelomeningocele. The subjects ingested radio-opaque markers on three successive days, and on the fourth a plain abdominal roentgenogram was taken using fast film. In the healthy children, total colonic transit time (mean +/- SD) was 37.8 +/- 6.2 h, with segmental times of 10.8 +/- 3.5 h for the right colon, 12.2 +/- 2.7 h for the left, and 14.7 +/- 2.1 h for the rectosigmoid; upper normal limits of 17.8 h for the right colon, 17.6 h for the left, 19.1 h for the rectosigmoid, and 50.2 h for the total colonic transit time were established. In the constipated children, the total transit time was 59.9 +/- 5.4 h, with segmental times of 15.9 +/- 2.3 h for the right colon, 18.9 +/- 2.3 h for the left, and 25.0 +/- 2.6 h for the rectosigmoid. The technique described is simple, is easy to use in clinical practice, and involves a lower radiation dose than other methods. It may prove useful for measurement of colonic transit time in suitable patients.     

Diagnostic accuracy of the Barr and Blethyn radiological scoring systems for childhood constipation assessed using colonic transit time as the gold standard

Background  Constipation is a common childhood symptom and abdominal radiography is advocated in diagnosis and management. Objective  To assess the reproducibility and diagnostic accuracy of the Barr and Blethyn systems for quantifying constipation on abdominal radiographs in children. Materials and methods  Radiographs were scored by three observers of increasing radiological experience (student, junior doctor, consultant). Abdominal radiographs produced during measurement of colonic transit time (CTT) were classified as constipated or normal based on the value of the transit time, and were scored using both systems by observers blinded to the CTT. Abdominal radiographs obtained in children for reasons other than constipation were classed as normal and similarly scored. Reproducibility was measured using the kappa statistic. Diagnostic accuracy was measured using the area under the curve (AUC) for the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve. Results  Using either system, scores were higher for constipated children (P<0.01). The consultant produced higher scores than the other observers (P<0.01). Interobserver reproducibility was moderate with the best kappa value only 0.48. The best correlation between score and CTT was 0.51 (junior doctor scores). Diagnostic accuracy of the scores was only moderate, with the largest AUC for a ROC curve of 0.84 for the consultant using the Barr score. Conclusions  Scoring of abdominal radiographs in the assessment of childhood constipation should be abandoned because it is dependent on the experience of the observer, is poorly reproducible, and does not accurately discriminate between constipated children and children without constipation. This work was presented to the international meeting of the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons.     

肠神经系统递质和Cajal间质细胞在大鼠慢传输型便秘中的作用

目的：探讨肠神经系统递质一氧化氮（NO）、P物质（SP）、血管活性肠肽（VIP）和Cajal间质细胞（ICC）在慢传输型便秘中的作用。方法：32只健康Wistar大鼠随机分成便秘组和对照组,分别饲喂含复方苯乙哌啶的混悬液和普通水,每5 d记录1次大鼠大便粒数、大便干重及体重。饲养90 d后停药1周,测定肠道传输功能、结肠黏膜肠神经系统递质含量和ICC细胞的特异性标志物c-kit+细胞分布情况。结果：便秘组日均粪便粒数小于对照组,平均每粒粪便质量大于对照组,差异有非常显著性意义（P<0.01）;便秘组首粒黑便排出时间为430.2±132.1 min,长于对照组的337.2±74.7 min,差异有显著性意义(P<0.05)。远端结肠黏膜NO含量、SP水平、VIP阳性细胞分布在两组间差异无显著性意义,而c-kit+细胞在便秘组的数目少于对照组,差异有显著性意义（P<0.05）。结论：远端结肠黏膜ICC数量减少可能是慢传输型便秘大鼠的主要病理生理机制。［中国当代儿科杂志,2009,11（6）：481-485］     

Functional constipation in children: investigation and management of anorectal motility

Background  Constipation is a common disease in children. Despite many causes, constipation is most often functional. This study was undertaken to investigate the anorectal motility in children with functional constipation as compared with healthy children and to determine the efficacy of management based on the results of anorectal manometry. Methods  A multi-functional manometry was used to detect the anorectal manometry indexes of 8 patients with functional constipation (11.4±4.8 years) as well as those of 10 healthy children (10.5±3.5 years) from May 2004 to June 2005. The patients received a combined treatment regimen including probiotics (bifid triple viable bacterial tablet), prebiotics (lactulose) and regular defecation according to the results of anorectal manometry. The efficacy of these conservative measures was estimated during the course of treatment. Results  No statistical difference was found in the indexes of effective length of the anal sphincter, anal tract maximal systolic pressure and the duration of more than 50% maximal systolic pressure between the two groups. But minimal sensitivity and maximal tolerated volume between the two groups were different significantly. Seven of the eight patients got better with the conservative treatment. Conclusions  Abnormalities exist in the anorectal motility of the children with functional constipation. Conservative treatment regimen based on the results of anorectal manometry is significantly effective.     

The effect of food withdrawal in children with rapid-transit constipation

Background

Rapid proximal colonic transit with anorectal holdup is a subtype of chronic constipation linked to food intolerance. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of dietary exclusion as a treatment for constipated children with rapid-transit constipation by scintigraphy.

Methods

Questionnaires on diet and symptoms were mailed out to 125 children with chronic constipation and rapid proximal colonic transit on nuclear transit study at our institute between 1998 and 2014 years. Patients were given instructions and encouraged to undertake a six-food elimination diet targeting common protein allergens (dairy, wheat, soy, eggs, nuts, seafood). Answers were completed by circling an option or on visual analogue scale. Results were evaluated statistically using GraphPad Prism 6 by a Wilcoxon matched-pairs rank test. P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

We received 44/125 responses, 26 patients [mean age 11 years (5–21)] had attempted elimination diet and 18 had not. Dairy and wheat were the most common foods eliminated and symptomatic improvement was greater for patients who had completely eliminated foods. Constipation, abdominal pain and pain on defecation were reduced (p < 0.01). Laxative usage decreased, although this was not statistically significant. Families encountered problems with dietary exclusion, particularly expense. Assistance from a dietician or nutritionist was sought by >50 % of families.

Conclusion

Dietary exclusion is a promising strategy to treat constipation in children with rapid proximal colonic transit. However, it was hard for many families, demonstrating the need for identifying the cause more specifically and a better set of instructions for the family and/or dietitian to follow.