Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37321583›Full record

ArticleClinical and experimental pediatrics2023

Assessing indicators and clinical differences between functional and organic childhood constipation: a retrospective study in pediatric gastroenterology clinics.

Hasan M Isa, Fatema A Alkharsi, Fatema A Salman, Maryam S Ali, Zahra K Abdulnabibi, Afaf M Mohamed

Open access · diamondAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Clinical and experimental pediatrics, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
1.1field-weighted citation impact, top 23% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 4 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Exploring Community Perspectives on Functional Paediatric Habitual Constipation.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2024
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.

Hasan M IsaPediatric Department, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain.
Fatema A AlkharsiPediatric Department, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Manama, Bahrain.
Fatema A SalmanAlsnan Medical Center, Riffa, Bahrain.
Maryam S AliAlbayan Medical Center, Sitra, Bahrain.
Zahra K AbdulnabibiDr. Suliman Alfaqeeh Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Afaf M MohamedPublic Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, Manama, Bahrain.
Salmaniya Medical Complex · BHMinistry of Health · BHSoliman Fakeeh Hospital · SA

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundChronic constipation is common among children worldwide. Constipation includes functional constipation (FC) and organic constipation (OC). The early recognition of the causes of childhood constipation and its subsequent complications is important. PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and causes of childhood constipation and compare the clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of children with FC versus OC to identify the predictive factors.

methodsThis retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed children with FC or OC diagnosed in pediatric gastroenterology clinics, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain, 2017-2021. The Rome IV criteria were used to define FC.

resultsA total of 7,287 gastroenterology appointments were attended by 4,346 children during the study period. Of the 639 children (14.7%) with constipation, 616 (96.4%) were included in the study. Most patients had FC (n=511, 83%), whereas 17% (n=105) had OC. FC was more common in females than in males. Children with OC were younger (P<0.001) and had lower body weights (P<0.001), more stunted growth (P<0.001), and more associated diseases (P= 0.037) than those with FC. Enuresis was the most associated disease (n=21, 3.4%). Organic causes included neurological, allergic, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and genetic diseases. Allergies to cow milk protein were the most common (n=35, 5.7%). The presence of mucus in the stool was more common in OC than in FC (P=0.041), but no other symptoms or physical findings differed. A total of 587 patients (95.3%) received medication, among which lactulose was commonly prescribed (n=395, 64.1%). There were no intergroup differences in nationality, sex, body mass index, seasonal variation, laxative type, or treatment response. A good response was observed in 114 patients (90.5%).

conclusionChronic constipation represented a significant proportion of outpatient gastroenterology visits. FC was the most common type. Young children with a low body weight, stunted growth, mucus in the stool, or associated diseases should be assessed for an underlying organic cause.

Indexed as

ChildrenFunctional constipationOrganic constipationRome IVTreatment

Identifiers

PMID37321583
PMCPMC10331549
OpenAlexW4380871388

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.