Evidence-based recommendations from ESPGHAN and NASPGHAN for functional constipation in infants and children.

Childhood functional constipation has an estimated prevalence of 3% in the Western world and is probably the most common gastrointestinal complaint in children. It is characterised by infrequent painful defecation, faecal incontinence and abdominal pain. Only less than 5% of children with constipation have an underlying disease. To assist healthcare workers worldwide in the management of children with functional constipation, only recently the North American Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) and the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) decided to develop an evidence-based guideline as a joined effort.

At present, a thorough medical history and complete physical exam are usually sufficient to confirm the diagnosis of functional constipation. Further laboratory or radiological investigations should only be performed in case of doubt, to exclude an underlying disease. Treatment of childhood constipation consists of four steps: (1) education, (2) disimpaction, (3) prevention of re-accumulation of faeces and (4) follow-up. Surprisingly, there is only limited evidence that laxative treatment is better than placebo in children with constipation. According to the available evidence, lactulose is recommended for children <1 year as first-choice treatment. For children older than 1 year, both lactulose and polyethylene glycol (PEG) with or without electrolytes can be used as first-choice treatment.