PEDIATRICS Vol. 91 No. 3 March 1993, pp. 591-594
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow P3Rs: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when P3Rs are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by McClung, H. J.
Right arrow Articles by Li, B U.K.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by McClung, H. J.
Right arrow Articles by Li, B U.K.

Is Combination Therapy for Encopresis Nutritionally Safe?

H. Juhling McClung MD1, Linda J. Boyne MS, RD2, Thomas Linsheid PhD3, Leo A. Heitlinger MD1, Robert D. Murray MD1, John Fyda MD1, and B U.K. Li MD1

1 From the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, The Ohio State University and Columbus Children's Hospital, Columbus
2 From the Division of Medical Dietetics, The Ohio State University and Columbus Children's Hospital, Columbus
3 From the Division of Pediatric Psychology, The Ohio State University and Columbus Children's Hospital, Columbus

Chronic constipation accounts for 3% to 5% of pediatric primary care outpatient visits. The most severely affected of this group develop a flaccid colon insensitive to distention, and encopresis. Laxatives and lubricants have been the standard therapeutic agents during the bowel decompression phase of encopretic therapy. Fiber has been the cornerstone of maintenance programs. Each of these agents is accompanied by considerable anxiety in the lay literature. This study evaluates the safety of combined high-fiber, laxative, and lubricant therapy on bowel movement frequency, fecal soiling, and nutritional status over a 6-month period. Blood chemistry values, dietary fiber intake, defecation pattern, and a psychological profile were evaluated before and after the 6-month study. Biochemical and anthropometric indicators of nutritional status were not adversely affected by the therapy. Seventy-five percent of the children were able to remain free of soiling and the remaining 4 of 16 had soiling episodes reduced to a frequency of less than once a week. This study confirms that children with encopresis can respond to a combined program of increased fiber intake, laxatives, and mineral oil following a complete bowel cleanout, without experiencing deleterious effects.

Key Words: encopresis • fiber • mineral oil • laxatives

Submitted on May 11, 1992
Accepted on July 20, 1992




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 The Annals of PharmacotherapyHome page
E. A Bell and G. C Wall
Pediatric Constipation Therapy Using Guidelines and Polyethylene Glycol 3350
Ann. Pharmacother., April 1, 2004; 38(4): 686 - 693.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 PediatricsHome page
V. Loening-Baucke, E. Miele, and A. Staiano
Fiber (Glucomannan) Is Beneficial in the Treatment of Childhood Constipation
Pediatrics, March 1, 2004; 113(3): e259 - 264.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Arch. Dis. Child.Home page
F Sharif, E Crushell, K O'Driscoll, and B Bourke
Current topic: Liquid paraffin: a reappraisal of its role in the treatment of constipation
Arch. Dis. Child., August 1, 2001; 85(2): 121 - 124.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J Am Psychoanal AssocHome page
R. N. Aruffo, S. Ibarra, and K. R. Strupp
Encopresis and Anal Masturbation
J Am Psychoanal Assoc, December 1, 2000; 48(4): 1327 - 1354.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 PediatricsHome page
R. M. Issenman, R. B. Filmer, and P. A. Gorski
A Review of Bowel and Bladder Control Development in Children: How Gastrointestinal and Urologic Conditions Relate to Problems in Toilet Training
Pediatrics, June 1, 1999; 103(6): 1346 - 1352.
[Full Text]

Home page
 Arch Pediatr Adolesc MedHome page
B. Felt, C. G. Wise, A. Olson, P. Kochhar, S. Marcus, and A. Coran
Guideline for the Management of Pediatric Idiopathic Constipation and Soiling
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, April 1, 1999; 153(4): 380 - 385.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]