Constipation in paediatric oncology

Health-Related Quality of Life Relates to School Attendance in Children on Treatment for Cancer

“…Chemotherapy primarily affects fast growing cells, and consequently, side effects of treatment arise in the normal cells that divide frequently (Rasco Baggott 2001). The acute symptoms include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, oral mucositis, infections with fever, fatigue and loss of strength, pain, leg weakness and psychological distress (Collins, Devine et al 2002;Sala, Pencharz et al 2004;Christensen, Nielsen et al 2005;Hedström, Ljungman et al 2005;Selwood 2006;Wicki, Keisker et al 2008;Gomber, Dewan et al 2010). Shortly after the start of cancer treatment, most of the children experience a changed appearance.…”

Exploring the Attitudes of Pediatric Oncologists Toward the Use of Laxatives for the Prevention of Constipation in Patients Undergoing Active Treatment: A Canadian Perspective

“…Prophylactic laxatives were administered in a variety of situations, such as palliative care, previous history of constipation, and regular use of narcotic analgesia. In this survey, 42% of the physicians recommended lactulose to prevent constipation when patients receive vincristine [6]. Previous case reports have described the use of lactulose as a preventive measure in adult oncology patients [24].…”

“…A survey of 22 pediatric centers in the UK reported that 33% of their hospitals had written guidelines for treating constipation (not specific to oncology), and the most frequently used medication at that time was lactulose [6]. Prophylactic laxatives were administered in a variety of situations, such as palliative care, previous history of constipation, and regular use of narcotic analgesia.…”

“…In patients with cancer, the exact prevalence is unknown, but is estimated to be between 50 and 95% in both pediatric and adult oncology populations [2][3][4][5][6][7]. Reviews of osteosarcoma and medulloblastoma patients estimated a 50% prevalence of constipation [3].…”

An Analytic Review of Clinical Implications From Nursing and Psychosocial Research Within Swedish Pediatric Oncology

“…Thus, several new practices or guidelines have been developed and discussed as ways of improving the quality of pediatric oncology care. Examples of these are as with oral mucositis (McGuire, Correa, Johnson, & Wienardts, 2006), constipation (Selwood, 2006), fever (Dobrasz et al (2013), and fatigue (Chang, Mu, Jou, Wong, & Cheng, 2013).…”