ArticleBMC pediatrics2025
Epidemiology of childhood constipation: a national study of Swedish children from 2006 to 2023.
Article in BMC pediatrics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Assisted infant toilet training and the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders up to the age of 9 months: a randomised, controlled trial.Archives of disease in childhood · 2026Trial
- Stool Withholding at School Among Children in the Netherlands.JAMA network open · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundChildhood constipation is increasingly common, yet its prevalence is uncertain. This study examines comprehensive national data for trends in medically treated childhood constipation over a period of 18 years.
methodsIncluded were all Swedish children, 0-14 years, 2006-2023, and all prescriptions for constipation, using the national Swedish Prescribed Drug register. The primary outcome was the number of unique patients prescribed, presented by age, gender, year, county, and ATC-code. Univariate and multivariable linear regression with ecological data were assessed for associations with age, gender, and year of prescription.
resultsThe study population increased from 1.54 to 1.84 million children 0-14 years, while constipation increased more than sixfold, from 1.2% in 2006 to 7.9% in 2023. Children 0-4 years were prescribed the most, with an increase from 1.6 to 9.5%. Female gender was associated with 7.5 higher prescription frequency per 1000 inhabitants when adjusted for age and year (4.6-10.5 95%CI, p < 0.001). In 2023, girls aged 0-4 years were prescribed 27% more than boys (106.5 vs. 83.7 per 1000), compared with 23% among the 5-9-year-olds (86.8 vs. 70.6 per 1000), and 18% among the 10-14-year-olds (45.0 vs. 38.1 per 1000).
conclusionsPrescription of constipation drugs to children has increased remarkably during the past 18 years. This study highlights an escalating public health challenge among children, with considerable associated costs for family and society.
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