Hardikar, W., Cranswick, N., & Heine, R.G. (2007). Macrogol 3350 plus electrolytes for chronic constipation in children: A single-centre, open-label study. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 43, 527–531.
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of macrogol 3350 plus electrolytes in the treatment of chronic constipation in children.
All children received macrogol 3350 plus electrolytes for 12 weeks. Children aged 2 to 6 years received one sachet daily on days 1 and 2, one sachet twice daily on days 3 and 4, and one sachet three times daily on day 5. Children aged 7 to 11 years received one sachet twice daily on days 1 and 2, and two sachets twice daily on days 3, 4, and 5. After day 5 and until the end of the study, the dosage was titrated according to fecal form. The dose was increased by one sachet per day in the event of continued hard stools or no bowel movement, and decreased by one to two sachets per day in the event of loose stools or diarrhea.
The mean duration of treatment was 75.5 days, during which time the participants took an average of 1.3 sachets (6.9 g) of macrogol plus electrolytes per day.
Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
This was an open-label, nonrandomized study.
Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the long-term outcome of successful treatment of chronic constipation during childhood.