Korean J Pediatr.  2007 Aug;50(8):752-756. 10.3345/kjp.2007.50.8.752.

Comparison of polyethylene glycol 4000 and lactulose for treatment of chronic functional constipation in children

• Uhm JH

• KMID: 2279196
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2007.50.8.752

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare 2 laxatives, namely, polyethylene glycol 4000 without electrolytes and lactulose, evaluating the efficacy and safety for the treatment of constipation in children.
METHODS
Fifty-six children with chronic functional constipation were randomly assigned to receive polyethylene glycol 4000 (24 patients) or lactulose (32 patients). Patients or their parents reported defecation frequency, stool consistency, abdominal pain, stool incontinence and side effects after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months of treatment. Percentage of recovered patients were compared with each group.
RESULTS
Defecation frequency, abdominal pain and stool incontinence were improved in each group. At 12 months of follow up, 60% of patients treated with polyethylene glycol and 57.7% of patients treated with lactulose were considered as recovered.
CONCLUSION
In this study, both polyethylene glycol and lactulose were equally effective and safe in the long-term treatment of constipation in children. There were no significant differences in recovery rates between 2 groups.

Keyword

Constipation; Children; Polyethylene glycol

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Child*
Constipation*
Defecation
Electrolytes
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Lactulose*
Laxatives
Parents
Polyethylene Glycols*
Polyethylene*
Electrolytes
Lactulose
Laxatives
Polyethylene
Polyethylene Glycols