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Effect of probiotic + laxatives for improving functional constipation in children

Pediatric functional constipation Pediatric functional constipation
Pediatric functional constipation Pediatric functional constipation

Constipation affects 0.7% to 29.6% of children globally, with 95% being functional. This network meta-analysis (NMA) compares the efficacy and acceptability of different probiotic supplements for treating pediatric functional constipation.

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Key take away

Probiotics, with or without laxatives enhance bowel movement frequency with Protexin with laxatives being the most effective for children with functional constipation.

Background

Constipation affects 0.7% to 29.6% of children globally, with 95% being functional. This network meta-analysis (NMA) compares the efficacy and acceptability of different probiotic supplements for treating pediatric functional constipation.

Method

This frequentist model-based NMA examined randomized controlled trials evaluating probiotic supplements for functional constipation in children. The changes in bowel movement or frequency were specified as the primary outcome, while discontinuation rates were specified as the acceptability outcome.

Result

The analysis included nine RCTs with 710 children (average age: 5.5 years; almost half were females). Most probiotic interventions, whether used alone or in conjunction with laxatives, showed significantly greater improvement in bowel movement frequency compared to placebo.

Protexin combined with laxatives demonstrated the most substantial improvement (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 1.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.85 to 2.90). Among single probiotic treatments, only Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus Lcr35 exhibited significant efficacy compared to placebo or control. Additionally, all probiotic interventions had comparable rates of faecal/bowel incontinence and patient dropout compared to placebo.

Conclusion

Combined probiotics and laxatives may be beneficial for treating pediatric functional constipation, provided there are no contraindications.

Source:

European Journal of Pediatrics

Article:

Efficacy and acceptability of different probiotic products plus laxatives for pediatric functional constipation: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Authors:

Wei-Cheih Yang et al.

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