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Review
. 2021 Sep 8;13(9):e17813.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.17813. eCollection 2021 Sep.

Polyethylene Glycol Versus Senna for Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy in Children: Updated Evidence by a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Jun Watanabe  1 , Kazuhiko Kotani  1
Affiliations
Review

Polyethylene Glycol Versus Senna for Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy in Children: Updated Evidence by a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Jun Watanabe et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

For colonoscopy, bowel preparation, especially that using polyethylene glycol (PEG) or senna, is performed among children with gastrointestinal disorders; however, it is not fully grounded in evidence. This study reviewed via meta-analyses the approaches to bowel preparation for colonoscopy in children. Electronic databases and trial registries were searched until April 2021. Quality assessment was conducted using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation method. In total, three randomized controlled trials (318 patients) were identified. PEG was observed as a preferred protocol of bowel preparation compared with senna (risk ratio [RR] 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-1.74; I2 = 15%). It was less painful than senna (RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.44-0.87; I2 = 0%). No serious adverse events were noted. Overall, the certainty of the evidence was low to moderate. PEG might be a preferred preparation agent for colonoscopy in children. Given the limited data, more studies are recommended.

Keywords: child nursing; colon disease; pediatric practice; polyethylene glycol; senna.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Flow chart of the article search
Figure 2
Figure 2. Forest plot of preferred bowel preparation
CI, confidence interval; M-H, Mantel-Haenszel.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Forest plot of abdominal pain
CI, confidence interval; M-H, Mantel-Haenszel.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Prespecified sensitivity analyses
CI, confidence interval; M-H, Mantel-Haenszel.
Figure 5
Figure 5. Correct analysis of preferred bowel preparation in excluding studies with a high risk of bias
CI, confidence interval; M-H, Mantel-Haenszel.
Figure 6
Figure 6. Correct analysis of abdominal pain in excluding studies with a high risk of bias
CI, confidence interval; M-H, Mantel-Haenszel.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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