Some Risk Factors of Chronic Functional Constipation Identified in a Pediatric Population Sample from Romania

Abstract

We conducted an observational study over a 1-year period, including 234 children aged 4-18 years and their caregivers and a matching control group. 60.73% of the children from the study group were males. Average age for the onset of constipation was 26.39 months. The frequency of defecation was 1/4.59 days (1/1.13 days in the control group). 38.49% of the patients in the sample group had a positive family history of functional constipation. The majority of children with functional constipation come from single-parent families, are raised by relatives, or come from orphanages. Constipated subjects had their last meal of the day at later hours and consumed fast foods more frequently than the children in the control sample. We found a statistically significant difference between groups regarding obesity/overweight and constipation (χ² = 104.94, df = 2, p < 0.001) and regarding physical activity and constipation (χ² = 18.419; df = 3; p < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between the number of hours spent watching television/using the computer and the occurrence of the disease (F = 92.162, p < 0.001, and 95% Cl). Children from broken families, with positive family history, defective dietary habits, obesity and sedentary behavior, are at higher risk to develop chronic functional constipation.

Figure 1

Constipation onset age distribution histogram.

Figure 2

Distribution of patient samples per frequency of bowel movements.

Figure 3

Sample distribution per sociofamilial environment.

Figure 4

Correlation between the age of onset of constipation and the moment when toilet training was initiated.

Figure 5

Nutritional profile of the child with constipation.

Figure 6

Comparison of average number of hours spent watching television/using the computer within the two studied samples.