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Myths and misconceptions about childhood constipation

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dc.contributor.author Rajindrajith, S.
dc.contributor.author Devanarayana, N.M.
dc.contributor.author Thapar, N.
dc.contributor.author Benninga, M.A.
dc.date.accessioned 2023-01-24T09:54:37Z
dc.date.available 2023-01-24T09:54:37Z
dc.date.issued 2023
dc.identifier.citation European Journal of Pediatrics.2023;182(4):1447-1458. [Epub 2023 Jan 23] en_US
dc.identifier.issn 0340-6199
dc.identifier.uri http://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/25830
dc.description indexed in MEDLINE. en_US
dc.description.abstract Many widely held beliefs and assumptions concerning childhood constipation continue to interfere with rational management of childhood constipation. Although many still believe that constipation is not a common disease, about 9.5% of the world's children suffer from chronic constipation. Most of these children live in non-Western countries. There are major misconceptions about the etiology of constipation as a significant proportion of clinicians still believe that constipation is caused by some form an organic pathology, whereas in reality, the majority have functional constipation. Contrary to a commonly held belief that children outgrow constipation without long-term problems, there is evidence that constipation leads to significant bowel and psychological consequences and has a major impact on the quality of life which detrimentally affects future health and education. Finally, ineffective management strategies such as increasing fiber and water in the diet, and short duration of treatment owing to the fear that long-term laxative treatment leads to colonic dysfunction, interfere with effective therapeutic strategies. Conclusions: It is apparent that myths and misconception often lead to wrong assumptions regarding the distribution of the disease, its etiology, pathophysiology, and management leading to ordering incorrect investigations and ineffective therapeutic strategies while spending large sums of public funds unnecessarily. Poorly treated constipation leads to deleterious psychological consequences predisposing children to develop significant psychological damage and bowel dysfunctions. This review aims to challenge these myths about various elements of constipation by exploring the existing literature and encouraging clinicians to have a fresh look at old concepts that could interfere with the well-being of children with constipation. What is Known: • Childhood constipation is a growing problem in the world leading to significant suffering and high healthcare expenditure • Myths and misconceptions lead to poor management strategies causing psychological and bowel damage What is New: • Organic, systemic, and bowel disorders leading to constipation are uncommon, and in the majority, it arises due to deliberate fecal withholding and most investigations ordered by clinicians are not very helpful in the management • Most non-pharmacological interventions are not effective in the day-to-day management of childhood constipation. The use of laxatives is considered to be the first-line management strategy. en_US
dc.language.iso en en_US
dc.publisher Springer-Verlag. en_US
dc.subject Constipation en_US
dc.subject Constipation-diagnosis en_US
dc.subject Constipation-etiology en_US
dc.subject Constipation-therapy en_US
dc.subject Diet en
dc.subject Laxatives-therapeutic use
dc.subject Quality of Life
dc.subject Child
dc.title Myths and misconceptions about childhood constipation en_US
dc.type Article en_US


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