The outcome of functional constipation in Saudi children

Background. Understanding the outcome of functional constipation (FC) for both patients and physicians is essential, yet it has been infrequently reported worldwide. The objective of this report was to update the outcomes of FC in Saudi children. Methods. Clinical data including age, sex, respons...

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Main Authors: Mohammad El Mouzan, Hayfa Alabdulkarim, Mohammed Kambal, Nawaf Alshammary, Rehab Alanazi, Shaffi Ahamed, Nouf Alhamid, Ahmed Al Sarkhy, Alhanouf Alzahrani, Asaad Assiri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hacettepe University Institute of Child Health 2024-12-01
Series:The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
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Online Access:https://turkjpediatr.org/article/view/5286
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author Mohammad El Mouzan
Hayfa Alabdulkarim
Mohammed Kambal
Nawaf Alshammary
Rehab Alanazi
Shaffi Ahamed
Nouf Alhamid
Ahmed Al Sarkhy
Alhanouf Alzahrani
Asaad Assiri
author_facet Mohammad El Mouzan
Hayfa Alabdulkarim
Mohammed Kambal
Nawaf Alshammary
Rehab Alanazi
Shaffi Ahamed
Nouf Alhamid
Ahmed Al Sarkhy
Alhanouf Alzahrani
Asaad Assiri
author_sort Mohammad El Mouzan
collection DOAJ
description Background. Understanding the outcome of functional constipation (FC) for both patients and physicians is essential, yet it has been infrequently reported worldwide. The objective of this report was to update the outcomes of FC in Saudi children. Methods. Clinical data including age, sex, response to management, duration of follow up, and type of management were collected from the notes of each clinic visits and phone call follow-ups. Results. The study included 268 children followed up for a 7 year duration. The median age of onset was 4 (0.1 to 13) years, and 123/268 (46%) were male. There was an increasing recovery rate with increasing duration of follow up with an overall recovery rate of 79%. There was no significant association between recovery and age at onset (p=0.0860) or duration of constipation (P=0.124). Management by pediatric gastroenterologists did not increase rate of recovery (81% vs. 77%, p=0.432) or being cured (47% vs. 36%, p=0.108) significantly. According to the parents of children who recovered, diet in association with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and toilet training were most helpful. Poor diet and nonadherence to medications were the most common causes of lack of recovery. Conclusions. The higher rates of recovery in this Middle Eastern childhood population than other populations are possibly related to cultural characteristics. The parents’ views support the importance of diet associated with other modalities as important parts of management.  Further research is needed to identify correctable causes of nonadherence to treatment to improve recovery. 
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spelling doaj-art-4d87659d35d14b2ab8d74e8f047a40fc2025-08-20T03:01:12ZengHacettepe University Institute of Child HealthThe Turkish Journal of Pediatrics0041-43012791-64212024-12-0166610.24953/turkjpediatr.2024.5286The outcome of functional constipation in Saudi childrenMohammad El Mouzan0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8699-3143Hayfa Alabdulkarim1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7435-1255Mohammed Kambal2https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0709-1961Nawaf Alshammary3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2298-3311Rehab Alanazi4https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4696-3367Shaffi Ahamed5https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6089-2627Nouf Alhamid6https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5352-7834Ahmed Al Sarkhy7https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1424-5784Alhanouf Alzahrani8https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6768-6129Asaad Assiri9https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3357-5794Gastroenterology Division, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaGastroenterology Division, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaGastroenterology Division, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaGastroenterology Division, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaGastroenterology Division, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaGastroenterology Division, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Background. Understanding the outcome of functional constipation (FC) for both patients and physicians is essential, yet it has been infrequently reported worldwide. The objective of this report was to update the outcomes of FC in Saudi children. Methods. Clinical data including age, sex, response to management, duration of follow up, and type of management were collected from the notes of each clinic visits and phone call follow-ups. Results. The study included 268 children followed up for a 7 year duration. The median age of onset was 4 (0.1 to 13) years, and 123/268 (46%) were male. There was an increasing recovery rate with increasing duration of follow up with an overall recovery rate of 79%. There was no significant association between recovery and age at onset (p=0.0860) or duration of constipation (P=0.124). Management by pediatric gastroenterologists did not increase rate of recovery (81% vs. 77%, p=0.432) or being cured (47% vs. 36%, p=0.108) significantly. According to the parents of children who recovered, diet in association with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and toilet training were most helpful. Poor diet and nonadherence to medications were the most common causes of lack of recovery. Conclusions. The higher rates of recovery in this Middle Eastern childhood population than other populations are possibly related to cultural characteristics. The parents’ views support the importance of diet associated with other modalities as important parts of management.  Further research is needed to identify correctable causes of nonadherence to treatment to improve recovery.  https://turkjpediatr.org/article/view/5286chronic constipationprognosisSaudi children
spellingShingle Mohammad El Mouzan
Hayfa Alabdulkarim
Mohammed Kambal
Nawaf Alshammary
Rehab Alanazi
Shaffi Ahamed
Nouf Alhamid
Ahmed Al Sarkhy
Alhanouf Alzahrani
Asaad Assiri
The outcome of functional constipation in Saudi children
The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
chronic constipation
prognosis
Saudi children
title The outcome of functional constipation in Saudi children
title_full The outcome of functional constipation in Saudi children
title_fullStr The outcome of functional constipation in Saudi children
title_full_unstemmed The outcome of functional constipation in Saudi children
title_short The outcome of functional constipation in Saudi children
title_sort outcome of functional constipation in saudi children
topic chronic constipation
prognosis
Saudi children
url https://turkjpediatr.org/article/view/5286
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