Background & Aims: Sparse data exist about the prognosis of childhood constipation and its possible persistence into adulthood. Methods: A total of 418 constipated patients older than 5 years at intake (279 boys; median age, 8.0 yr) participated in studies evaluating therapeutic modalities for constipation. All children subsequently were enrolled in this follow-up study with prospective data collection after an initial 6-week intensive treatment protocol, at 6 months, and thereafter annually, using a standardized questionnaire. Results: Follow-up was obtained in more than 95% of the children. The median duration of the follow-up period was 5 years (range, 1-8 yr). The cumulative percentage of children who were treated successfully during follow-up was 60% at I year, increasing to 80% at 8 years. Successful treatment was more frequent in children without encopresis and in children with an age of onset of defecation difficulty older than 4 years. In the group of children treated successfully, 50% experienced at least one period of relapse. Relapses occurred more frequently in boys than in girls (relative risk 1.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-2.62). In the subset of children aged 16 years and older, constipation still was present in 30%.. Conclusions: After intensive initial medical and behavioral treatment, 60% of all children referred to a tertiary medical center for chronic constipation were treated successfully at I year of follow-up. One third of the children followed-up beyond puberty continued to have severe complaints of constipation. This finding contradicts the general belief that childhood constipation gradually disappears before or during puberty.

doi.org/10.1016/S0016-5085(03)00888-6, hdl.handle.net/1765/56256
Gastroenterology
Department of Pediatrics

van Ginkel, R., Reitsma, J., Büller, H., van Wijk, M., Taminiau, J. A., & Benninga, M. (2003). Childhood constipation: Longitudinal follow-up beyond puberty. Gastroenterology, 125(2), 357–363. doi:10.1016/S0016-5085(03)00888-6