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| J Pediatr 2000 Jan;136(1):41-5 |
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Effect of the dietary fiber
glucomannan on chronic constipation in neurologically impaired
children.
Staiano A, Simeone D, Del Giudice E, Miele E, Tozzi A, Toraldo
C.
Department of Pediatrics, University Federico II, Naples, Italy.
OBJECTIVE: Inadequate dietary fiber intake is a widely accepted
explanation for chronic constipation in children with severe
brain damage. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy
of glucomannan, a soluble fiber, as a treatment for chronic
constipation in these children. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty children
with severe brain damage and chronic constipation were randomly
assigned to double-blind treatment with either glucomannan (n
= 10) or placebo (n = 10) for 12 weeks. Stool habits, total
and segmental gastrointestinal transit times, and anorectal
motility were evaluated in all children before and after the
treatment period. RESULTS: Glucomannan significantly increased
(P <.01) stool frequency, whereas the effect of placebo was
not significant. Laxative or suppository use was significantly
reduced (P <.01) by glucomannan but was not affected by placebo.
Clinical scores of stool consistency were significantly improved
and episodes of painful defecation per week were significantly
reduced by glucomannan (P <.01) but not by placebo. However,
neither glucomannan nor placebo had a measurable effect on total
and segmental transit times. CONCLUSIONS: In neurologically
impaired children, glucomannan improves stool frequency but
has no effect on colonic motility.
Publication Types:
- Clinical Trial
- Randomized Controlled Trial
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