2025 Volume 61 Issue 2 Pages 147-157
Objective: The long-term efficacy and safety of MACROGOL 4000, sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, and potassium chloride (Movicol®) administered to children with chronic constipation were determined.
Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on chronic constipation patients aged 2 to 14 years who were newly administered Movicol® and continued treatment for more than 4 weeks at the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Kyorin University Hospital from December 1, 2018 to December 31, 2022. Observation and examination data were obtained from the patients' medical records and responses to questionnaires. Outcome measures included the number of defecations and stool shape determined on the basis of the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) before and after Movicol® administration, as well as adverse events and side effects. Stratified analyses were conducted by age, previous treatment, and enema use.
Results: Ninety-eight eligible patients were selected for analysis. The mean duration of treatment with Movicol® was 116.0 ± 78.4 weeks. Four weeks of Movicol® treatment significantly increased the number of defecations (times/week) from 1.2 ± 1.0 to 5.4 ± 4.7 (P < 0.001). Stool shape, as determined by the BSFS, improved and was maintained for more than 60 weeks. The frequency of enema use decreased significantly in patients who used enemas. The efficacy of Movicol® was unchanged in all subgroups based on age, previous treatment, and using an enema. The mean duration of treatment with Movicol® was more than two years, and no serious adverse events or side effects were observed.
Conclusion: Long-term administration of Movicol® in children with chronic constipation is an effective and safe treatment option and can be considered as first-line therapy.
