THE EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL PLUS ASCORBIC ACID FOR BOWEL CLEANSING BEFORE COLONOSCOPY IN CHILDREN

Abstract

[Objective] Our objective was to assess the efficacy and safety of polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution with ascorbic acid (PEG-Asc) for achieving good bowel preparation prior to lower gastrointestinal endoscopy in children. [Methods] The night before endoscopy, oral solutions of PEG-Asc 20 mL/kg and sodium picosulfate 0.5 mL/kg were administered. The following morning, 25% glycerin enema solution 4 mL/kg and PEG-Asc oral solution 10 mL/kg were administered. In each patient, the extent of bowel cleansing was rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 indicating a clean bowel. [Results] In 19 children (age range, 6-18 years) who took all the prescribed doses, although fecal residue was observed in all the segments, the amounts were small enough to allow performance of endoscopy. However, the extent of bowel cleansing after administration of PEG-Asc was significantly lower in children aged 11 years or younger [4.9±0.082 (n=10) vs. 4.5±0.28 (n=9), mean±SD, p＜0.015]. Furthermore, serum total protein, total bilirubin, creatinine, and calcium levels varied widely both before and after oral administration of PEG-Asc, but all remained within the normal range after administration. [Conclusion] Pretreatment with PEG-Asc appeared to be effective for achieving adequate bowel preparation and was safe for use in children.