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. 2010 Mar;50(3):287-9.
doi: 10.1097/MPG.0b013e3181a0a595.

Familial clustering of habitual constipation: a prospective study in children from West Virginia

Waseem Ostwani  1 , Jenna Dolan, Yoram Elitsur
Affiliations

Familial clustering of habitual constipation: a prospective study in children from West Virginia

Waseem Ostwani et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2010 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate familial clustering of habitual constipation in pediatric patients who attended our medical facilities.

Patients and methods: Children with the diagnosis of functional, habitual constipation or patients without constipation and their respective family members were prospectively recruited to our study. Constipation was established in all participants using a standard questionnaire (Rome criteria).

Results: A total of 112 children and their families participated in the study, of which 37 were probands families (test) and 75 children and their respective family members constituted the control group. A total of 310 family members completed the questionnaire. No significant differences were found between the study and the control groups in age, sex, or family size. Siblings or parents from the study group (probands) had significantly higher rates of constipation compared with the control group (30% vs 7% and 42% vs 9%, respectively; P = 0.001).

Conclusions: Habitual constipation in children seemed to cluster in families. The pathophysiology behind this phenomenon is yet unknown.

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