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. 2001;2001(3):CD002040.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD002040.

What is the role of stimulant laxatives in the management of childhood constipation and soiling?

K J Price  1 , T M Elliott
Affiliations

What is the role of stimulant laxatives in the management of childhood constipation and soiling?

K J Price et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2001.

Abstract

Background: Constipation is extremely common in childhood and may lead to overflow soiling/encopresis. Standard treatment of the more severe case is to empty the bowels of impacted faeces by the use of oral or rectal laxatives and then maintain regular bowel movements by the continuation of osmotic and stimulant laxatives.

Objectives: The objective of the review was to determine the effect of stimulant laxative treatment in children with chronic constipation who may also suffer from soiling / encopresis.

Search strategy: The Cochrane database of randomised controlled trials was searched. Additional citations were sought by hand searching of paediatric journals and from contact with known professionals in the field.

Selection criteria: All identified randomised controlled trials (RCTs) which compare the administering of stimulant laxatives to children with either placebo or alternative treatment.

Data collection and analysis: No trials were found that met the selection criteria.

Main results: No trials were found that adequately met the selection criteria.

Reviewer's conclusions: The need exists to establish a secure footing for treatment decisions and adequately sized trials are required to provide comparative data on commonly used drugs.

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Conflict of interest statement

None known.

References

References to studies excluded from this review

Berg 1983 {published data only}
    1. Berg I, Forsythe I, Holt P, Watts J. A controlled trial of Senokot in faecal soiling treated by behavioural methods. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 1983;24(4):543‐9. - PubMed
Connolly 1975 {published data only}
    1. Connolly P, Hughes I, Ryan G. Comparison of Duphalac and irritant laxatives during and after treatment of chronic constipation: a preliminary study. Current Medical Research and Opinion 1975;2(10):621‐5. - PubMed
Perkins 1977 {published data only}
    1. Perkins J. Constipation in childhood: a controlled comparison between lactulose and standardized senna. Current Medical Research and Opinion 1977;4(8):541‐3. - PubMed

Additional references

Brazzelli 2006
    1. Brazzelli M, Griffiths P. Behavioural and cognitive interventions with or without other treatments for the management of faecal incontinence in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 2. - PubMed
Clayden 1994
    1. Clayden GS. Childhood Constipation. Paediatric Practice Guidelines. British Paediatric Association 1994.
D + Th 2000
    1. Managing Constipation in Children. Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin. 2000; Vol. 38, issue 8. - PubMed

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