Utility of lactic product with fiber in infant functional constipation

Abstract

Objective. To assess the effectiveness of a fibre-fortified milk in children with chronic functional constipation.

Patients and methods. Randomised, double-blind,placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 19 children, 4 to 12-year-old, who were diagnosis with functional constipation according to Rome III Criteria. Intervention group received 200 ml of fibre-fortified milk daily for 4 weeks, while the other group received a similar portion of nonfortified milk.

Results. At the end of the intervention there were no statistically significant differences between groups with respect to having at least three bowel movements a week (88.9% in intervention group vs. 100% in control group, p= 0.474), frequency of bowel movements, stool consistency,presence of painful defecation, retentive posturing, or fecal incontinence, or self-reported perceived health. Both groups tended to increase bowel movements. Fibre group increased from 3.6 ± 1.9 to 5.8 ± 2.0 bowel movements/week (p = 0.059), while control group increased from 3.3 ± 1.3 to 5.8 ± 1.3 bowel movements/week (p = 0.001). Presence of painful defecation decreased both in fibre group, 77.8% to 11.1% (p = 0.031), and in control group, 80.0% to 20,0% (p = 0.031).

Conclusions. Effectiveness of a fibre-fortified milk was not confirmed in children with chronic functional constipation.High quality clinical trials are required to know the efficacy of fibre supplements in children with functional constipation.