Age of Onset of Functional Constipation

Abstract

In a review of 538 children with functional constipation, we analyzed ages of presentation and onset, symptom duration, and behavioral/developmental problems. We divided the subjects into quartiles (Q1-Q4) based on age of onset. Median onset age was 2.3 years. The oldest group had the shortest symptom duration before referral at 1.8 ± 1.8 years (compared with Q3 to Q1, P = 0.039, P = 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). Of the Q4 subjects, 22% had a behavioral/developmental problem (P < 0.001 compared with Q1-Q3). We conclude that most children develop functional constipation as infants and toddlers, but those with later onset are more likely to have behavioral/developmental issues and see a specialist sooner.

The New Rome IV Criteria for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Infants and Toddlers

“…The prevalence in toddlers is frequently reported to be higher than in infants [89], which is in line with recent findings from a retrospective chart review study which described that the median age of onset of functional constipation in children was 2.3 years [66]. …”

Proposals to Approximate the Pediatric Rome Constipation Criteria to Everyday Practice

“…Median age at onset of constipation symptoms was 3 month, but 53 month at first visit, with a median interval of 38 month (16) . A similar mean interval of 31 month from median age at onset 27 month to first visit (57% ≥48 month) has been reported (32) . Had appropriate treatment begun at the early onset age, possibly much suffering could have been avoided, since complica tions disappeared after successful constipation treatment (16) .…”

Development and validation of a childhood self‐efficacy for functional constipation questionnaire

“…Secondly, we included only children above 8 years of age. Functional constipation begins most often in infants and toddlers, and is unusual to start after first grade . However, we chose an older age population that could understand and answer questionnaires because it takes a child in the formal operations stage of cognitive development to be able to complete self‐report on self‐efficacy.…”

“…T A B L E 2 Correlation of SEFC Scale with other related constructs to start after first grade. 26 However, we chose an older age population that could understand and answer questionnaires because it takes a child in the formal operations stage of cognitive development to be able to complete self-report on self-efficacy. To our knowledge, there are no studies on general or health specific self-efficacy in children less than 8 years of age.…”