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Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the etiological factors at the age of 0-2 in pediatric patients with functional constipation. Material and Methods: Between October 2016 and June 2021, 530 patients aged 0-18 years, who applied to the Gülhane Training and Research Hospital, Pediatric Gastroenterology Outpatient Clinic with a complaint of constipation and were diagnosed with functional constipation according to the Rome IV criteria were included in the study and the etiological factors in the 0-2 years of age of these patients were evaluated. Results: 52.6% of the patients were girls. 56.2% of the patients were diagnosed in the first 24 months and 52.5% were cesarean delivery. The rate of cow’s milk intake in the first 2 years was 52.3%, and the percentage of patients taking formula in the first 6 months was 45.7%. 3.2% of the patients had a history of cow’s milk protein allergy. The percentage of patients who started complementary feeding at the 6th month was 61.1%. In the first 2 years; the probiotic use rate was 26.2%. It was observed that the number of outpatient clinic visits was higher in the 0-2 age group (p<0.001). It was observed that the rate of probiotic use was significantly lower in patients with functional constipation (p<0.001). Constipation was found to be more common in those who received formula for the first 6 months (p=0.014). The time of giving gluten-containing foods during the complementary feeding period (p=0.13) and the transition period to complementary feeding (p=0.47) had no effect on functional constipation. Conclusion: Although functional constipation is seen at all ages, it was seen to be more common in 0-2 years of age and the number of outpatient visits was higher in this group. It was observed that the rate of probiotic use was significantly lower in patients with functional constipation, and constipation was found to be more common in those who received formula for the first 6 months. No effect of the timing of giving gluten-containing foods during the complementary feeding period and the transition period to complementary feeding on functional constipation was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the frequency of functional gastrointestinal diseases (FGIDs) in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients with healthy control children. Materials and Methods: This case-control study includes 193 children with JIA followed-up between October 2012 to April 2019 and 139 healthy control children. Demographic features, disease characteristics, treatment modalities were collected retrospectively. Laboratory parameters were recorded at the study enrollment. FGIDs diagnosis were assessed by utilizing Rome IV criteria. Gender, age at disease onset, laboratory parameters, treatment modalities, and clinical status of the disease were compared between the groups. Results: The mean age at study enrollment was 12.05±4.05 and 9.01±3.97 years in children with JIA and healthy control group, respectively. The frequency of FGIDs was significantly higher in JIA patients (13.7%, n=19) than in healthy control group (21.8%, n=42). There was no statistical significance between JIA patients and healthy control group in terms of FGIDs subtypes. Demographic and clinical parameters did not differ between JIA patients grouped according to FGIDs presence. Conclusion: FGIDs is more frequent in JIA patients than healthy controls. Further studies are needed to support our results.

Objectives: Sjogren's Syndrome (SS) is a female-dominated disease in which lymphocytes play a critical role in the etiopathogenesis and manifest by xerostomia and xerophthalmia. In this study, we aimed to investigate the frequency of functional bowel disease (FBD) according to Roma IV criteria in patients with primary SS (PSS). Materials and Methods: 52 patients who admitted to Kayseri City Hospital Rheumatology Polyclinics between June 2018 - September 2019 and classified as PSS according to 2016 ACR / EULAR PSS classification criteria were included in the study. Subjects were questioned about FBD, and who had more than 10% weight loss in the last six months, new changes in defecation habits, presence of early age intestinal malignancy in his family history, nausea/vomiting and acute abdominal findings were excluded due to the possibility of alarm symptoms/organic pathology. The control group was the relatives of the patients who applied to the Hematology Outpatient Clinic, and they were selected according to age and gender. Inquiries were made using a questionnaire, the presence of FBD and the type of FBD were noted, and the incidence rate in patients with PSS and healthy controls was reported as a percent. Results: In PSS patients, 24/52 (46.15%) patients had FBD and 17/75 (22.67%) healthy controls had FBD [p <0.05; Odds Ratio 2,924 (95% confidence interval 1.35-6.30)]. Irritable Bowel Syndrome ratio in PSS was found to be 18/52 (34.61%) and 14/75 (18.67%) in healthy subjects [p = 0.044; Odds Ratio: 2,307 (95% confidence interval 1.02 - 5.21)]. Conclusion: In this study, it was observed that the prevalence of FBD, especially IBS, was higher among patients with PSS compared to healthy individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional defecation disorders compromise a common clinical entity for pediatricians. The diagnosis and management of these problems are complex and time consuming. Currently, Rome III criteria provide a standard terminology in clinical practice. Functional voiding symptoms are also common in children. It is well known that both constipation and voiding symptoms can be a risk factor for each other. In a certain group of patients, functional defecation and voiding symptoms may be a component of a single disorder as dysfunctional elimination or bowel-bladder syndrome. Therefore, constipation should be investigated in children with voiding symptoms, and treatment of constipation must also be included in the management. Similarly, possibility of lower urinary tract symptoms and urinary infections should be considered in children presenting with constipation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a change in the quality of life (QOL) in preschool children with functional constipation (FC) after undergoing standard treatment. Patients and Methods: Sixty-five patients, between 2-6 years of age, with FC, were included in the study. The mothers completed the Pédiatrie Quality of Life (QOL) Inventory and Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) before starting the treatment and at the 6th week of the treatment. The change in QOL and SCL-90-R scores were compared using repeated measures ANOVA and Wilcoxon tests. Results: Mother-perceived total QOL was improved at 6th week of treatment compared with baseline (82.87 ± 13.91 vs 74.24 ± 15.40, p<0.001) and improvement in all domains of QOL was significant. A significant decrease in the global severity index (GSI) of maternal psychological distress (1.09 ± 0.76 vs 0.78 ± 0.64, p<0.001) was also reported. Improvement in physical, social and total QOL was maintained after GSI scores of the mothers were statistically controlled. Conclusion: Significant improvement in all QOL categories was detected. Decrease in symptoms of constipation seemed to effect physical and social aspects of QOL directly, whereas improvement in emotional functioning seemed rather be an indirect effect of treatment via decrease in psychological distress of the mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olgaç MAB, Balcı Sezer O, Özçay F. (Department of Pediatrics, Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey). Comparison of probiotic and lactulose treatments in children with functional constipation and determination of the effects of constipation treatment on quality of life. Çocuk Sağlığı ve Hastalıkları Dergisi 2013; 56: 1-7. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus reuteri (DSM 17938) and lactulose on functional constipation and to determine their impact on quality of life (QoL) of patients. One hundred and three children (53 in treatment, 50 in the control group) were evaluated. A generic QoL questionnaire was applied to all children and families. Children with functional constipation were treated with probiotics (n=25) or lactulose (n=28) for four weeks. Patients were asked to keep a bowel diary during treatment. The generic QoL questionnaire was re-applied after the treatment period. Defecation frequency, stool consistency, abdominal pain, painful defecation, and stool-withholding behavior improved significantly in both treatment groups. Probiotics were more effective on abdominal pain and flatulence than lactulose. Average QoL scores were significantly lower in children with functional constipation than in healthy children. No differences were found between the effects of treatments on QoL. Improvement [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of polyethylene glycol (PEG 3350) as a therapy in children after the age of one year. Material and Method: The study included 50 cases, aged between 1-12 years. All of the cases were prescribed PEG 3350. We aimed one or two painless soft bowel actions per day as the effectiveness of therapy. We filled a form including every patient's history and physical examination. Complete blood counts with differential, liver and renal function tests, electrolytes of each patient were recorded. All cases were evaluated every month while on PEG 3350. Wilcoxon test was used for comparing values before and after the therapy. Results: The study included cases whose mean age was 4.6 years. The mean duration of constipation was found 16.8 months. Eight cases (16%) had bloody stools, seven cases (14%) had abdominal pain, 35 cases (70%) had pain with defecation, 15 cases (30%) had encopresis besides the constipation complaint. Thirty patients (60% ) had another pharmacologic treatment. All children were prescribed PEG 3350 with electrolytes. The effective dose which means one or two painless, soft defecation was found at a mean dose of 0.75 gr/kg/day. The time for resolution of constipation was 10.4 days averagely. The average duration of theaphy was 5.5 months. When we compared bowel movements per day before and after theraphy we found a significant differance. Conclusions: Low dose PEG 3350 with electrolytes (0.65-0.75 gr/kg/day) is safe and effective in childhood constipation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]