PICO question:
What is the effectiveness of dietary and lifestyle modifications in improving constipation in neonates, infants and all children up to their 18th birthday diagnosed with idiopathic constipation?
Patients/Population

Neonates (newborns), infants and all children up to their 18th birthday diagnosed with idiopathic constipation
Intervention/Exposure
  • Increasing fluids intake
  • Increasing physical activity/exercise
  • Increasing fibre intake: Dried or fresh fruits, fruit juices, vegetables, cereals, bran, dihydroxyphenyl isatin (laxating part of prunes), prebiotics, oligosaccharides, fructooligosaccarides (FOS) (found in garlic, leek and onion), Inulin (found in bananas, onions, garlic, asparagus and tomatoes.)
  • Supplements: Benefiber (partially hydrolysed guar gum), glucomannan, iron, pectin
  • Infant's formulas: Prebiotics, oligosaccharides, partially hydrolysed whey protein, casein, whey hydrolysates
  • Omega 3 fish oils
  • Chocolate
  • Low fat / high fat diet
  • Dairy free diet
  • Soy milk
  • Sheep milk
Control

Usual / “normal” fluids intake
Usual/ “normal” physical activity
Usual / “normal” diet
Outcomes
  • Changes in frequency of bowel movements
  • Changes in stools consistency/appearance
  • Changes in pain/difficulty on passing stools
  • Changes in frequency of episodes of soiling
  • Reduction in laxative
  • Parent/child views/satisfaction or Quality of Life

From: Appendix I, Search Strategies

Cover of Constipation in Children and Young People
Constipation in Children and Young People: Diagnosis and Management of Idiopathic Childhood Constipation in Primary and Secondary Care.
NICE Clinical Guidelines, No. 99.
National Collaborating Centre for Women's and Children's Health (UK).
London: RCOG Press; 2010.
Copyright © 2010, National Collaborating Centre for Women's and Children's Health.

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