DIAGNOSTIC DILEMMAS AND RESULTS OF TREATMENT FOR CHRONIC CONSTIPATION

Chronic functional constipation (CFC) may be difficult to recognise an d information regarding its long term prognosis is scarce. The records of 244 children with CFC, aged 0-18 years, were analysed for symptoms at presentation and results of treatment, and long term outcome was e valuated by means of a telephone interview in 137 patients discharged for more than one year. The patients presented with a great variety of symptoms, only 22% having infrequent defecation of increased consiste ncy, another 22% having an obviously normal defecation pattern. The me an duration of treatment was 13 months. At the time of discharge, 69% of the patients still used laxatives. At a median of four years after discharge, 66% of the children were free of symptoms and without medic ation, 39% having experienced a recurrence. It is concluded that CFC m ay be difficult to recognise and can be alleviated by an intensive lax ative regimen. Recurrence of symptoms is common, but the long term pro gnosis is good in most patients.