Nurko, S., Youssef, N.N., Sabri, M., Langseder, A., McGowan, J., Cleveland, M., & Di Lorenzo, C. (2008). PEG3350 in the treatment of childhood constipation: A multicenter, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Pediatrics, 153, 254–261.e1.
To determine the effect and preferred dose of polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG3350) in children with functional constipation.
Patients were randomly assigned to placebo or PEG at different doses that were identical in appearance. Dosage groups were 0.2, 0.4, or 0.8 g/kg per day. Patients took the medication for two weeks. Patients in both PEG and placebo groups also underwent behavior modification. Patients returned for evaluation after seven and 14 days of medication.
The study has clinical applicability for pediatrics.
This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective, randomized study.
PEG is a well-tolerated, effective treatment for chronic constipation in healthy children.
This well-done study demonstrated the usefulness of PEG in the management of constipation for healthy children. PEG may be useful for children with cancer, but this specific application has not been studied.