Constipation in Very‐Low‐Birth‐Weight Children at 10 to 14 Years of Age

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe authors documented that very‐low‐birth‐weight children (less than 750‐g) when compared with 750‐to 1,499‐g birth‐weight and normal‐birth‐weight–matched controls have higher than normal rates of neurosensory and cognitive impairments at school age. In this population, the authors found a higher rate of constipation than expected among 19 of 59 (32%) less‐than‐750‐g‐birth‐weight children. The authors therefore wanted to evaluate in greater detail the problem of constipation and associated toileting problems in this population.MethodsNineteen less‐than‐750‐g‐birth‐weight children with constipation were matched to the next less than 750‐g‐birth‐weight child of comparable age, sex, and race who did not have constipation. A telephone questionnaire was administered to 15 of 19 parents of the less‐than‐750‐g‐birth‐weight children who had constipation.ResultsThe 15 children with constipation had significantly higher rates of neurosensory impairment (7 [47%] vs. 1 [7%]) and lower mean WISC III IQ scores (72 ± 22 vs. 89 ± 13) when compared with birth‐weight‐matched controls without constipation (P < 0.05). The constipated children also had significantly higher rates of associated toileting problems, including encopresis (8[53%] vs. 1 [7%])and stool withholding (9 [60%] vs. 2 [13%];P < 0.05).ConclusionThe higher incidence of constipation among less‐than‐750‐g‐birth‐weight children is associated with neurodevelopment impairment. Awareness of this problem and preventive intervention to ensure regular stools could possibly decrease the high rate of constipation and associated toileting problems.