Comparison of Polyethylene Glycol Powder and Polyethylene Glycol 40% Syrup in Treatment of Chronic Idiopathic Constipation in Pediatrics

Introduction: Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints in children that can lead to many complications. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of polyethylene glycol powder and polyethylene glycol 40% syrup to treat constipation.

Materials and Methods: This study was a nonrandomized semi-experimental clinical trial. The current study was conducted on 80 patients with constipation, referring to Imam Ali (PBUH) Clinic, Shahrekord randomly assigned to two groups of 40 each. Subjects were children under 15 years old with functional constipation selected by simple sampling since 2015. Group 1 was treated with polyethylene glycol powder and Group 2 was treated with polyethylene glycol 40% syrup for two months. During the treatment, the patients were examined five times with 2-week intervals and their symptoms consisting of defecation frequency, stool consistency, painful defecation, bloody defecation, and stool incontinence were registered in a checklist. Data were analyzed using SPSS24.

Results: The comparison of patients’ total status before and after intervention shows that two groups were assessed in the weak level in the polyethylene glycol powder group 28(0.70%) cases and syrup group 36(0.90%), while after intervention, polyethylene glycol powder group was assessed in the high level 35(87.5%) cases and syrup group 37(92%) cases and most of patients after intervention promoted from weak and intermediate level before intervention to High level.

Conclusion: The findings indicated similar efficacy and treatment response of the PEG powder and syrup. However, the PEG syrup can be used instead of its powder because of pleasant taste and ease of use.