Red Sugar versus Polyethylene Glycol 3350 in Pediatric Functional Constipation: A randomized and Active-Controlled Trial

Subject Areas : Journal of Chemical Health Risks

Elaheh  Hajiarabi ¹ (Student Research Committee, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran)
Pantea  Tajik ² (Department of Pediatrics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran)
Bahar  Taherkhanchi ³ (Erfan Niayesh Hospital, Tehran, Iran)
Shamsollah  Nouripoor ⁴ (Department of Pediatrics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran)
Ali  Gohari ⁵ (Kowsar Hospital, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran)
Bahador  Bagheri ⁶ (Cancer Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran)

Received: 2020-02-11 Accepted : 2020-05-06 Published : 2021-10-01

Keywords: Iran, Chemical contamination, microbial contamination, Confectionery Products, Cream-Filled Pastry,

Abstract :

Functional constipation is a prevalent problem in children. This study was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of molasses with polyethylene glycol (PEG) in childhood constipation. This randomized single-center trial was conducted in Amir Al-Momenin Hospital, Semnan, Iran. 110 constipated children aged from 2 to 8 years were randomly assigned to 2 g/kg PEG or 2 ccs/kg molasses. Children were treated for 1 month, and frequency of defecation, frequency of encopresis, abdominal pain, appetite, fecaloma, and pain at defecation were compared. The safety of both treatments was also studied. After 1 month of treatment, both drugs had an equal effect on the frequency of defecation and the frequency of encopresis per week (P <0.05). Both drugs were effective in relieving defecation pain to some extent. Molasses had a better effect on appetite status (P <0.05). Molasses caused a lower rate of side effects; diarrhea (P <0.01), nausea (P <0.05), and vomit. Our study showed that red sugar was as effective as PEG 3350 for treating childhood functional constipation.

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