Retrospective Study
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2018.
World J Clin Pediatr. Feb 8, 2018; 7(1): 56-61
Published online Feb 8, 2018. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v7.i1.56
Table 1 Questionnaire about constipation in children older than 6 mo
We are studying the diagnostic criteria and management of constipation in children over 6 months of age. This questionnaire will be handled anonymously. Please tell us more about your experience in dealing with children with constipation. Many aspects in the diagnosis and management of constipation are debated. Therefore, there is no right or wrong answer. We look forward to your participation in completing this short questionnaire, which will take you around 5 to 10 min.
1 Please specify your profession: General Pediatrician Yes / No
How long are you working as General Pediatrician? ___ year(s) and __ month(s)
In which city do you work?______________
2 Which criteria do you use to diagnose constipation in children older than 6 months? (more than one answer is possible):
o Infrequent defecation, less than once in every ____ day(s)
o Hard consistency of stool
o Bleeding when passing stools
o Fecal incontinence
o Difficulties in defecation
o Crying before passing stool with normal consistency
o Other (please specify)
3 Which treatment do you recommend as first approach? (more than one answer is possible):
o Take a high-fiber diet
o Increase fluid intake
o Apply abdominal massage for babies
o Start appropriate toilet training
o Other (please specify)____________________________
4 If you answered “toilet training” in question 3, please explain briefly the method of toilet training which you suggested :
5 When do you start pharmacological therapy in a constipated child > 6 months old?
o Immediately when the diagnosis of constipation is established
o If non-pharmacological treatment does not respond after _____ day(s)/ week(s)/ month(s)
o I do not recommendany pharmacological therapy
o Other (please specify) _______________________________
6 The pharmacological treatment that I recommend is :
o Lactulose
o Sorbitol
o Magnesium salt
o Laxative suppository
o Other (please specify) _____________________________
7 The rectal pharmacological treatment that you mostly recommend is:
o Enema with a combination of sodium citrate, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, and sorbitol (Microlax®)
o Trifenylmethaan (Dulcolax®)
o Docusate Sodium, Sorbitol (Yal®)
o Glycerin suppository
o I do not recommend such treatment
o Other (please specify) ___________________________________________
8 When do you recommend rectal treatment?
o When impacted feces are diagnosed on physical examination
o When patient had no bowel movement during ____ days
o When stool is too hard to pass
o When patient has to much difficulties to produce stools
o Other (please specify) _________________________
9 Is there any other information/ education that you provide to the patients/parents?
10 In average, how long does it take for your patients to show a positive response to your first therapeutic approach? _________ days/ week(s)/ month(s)
11 In average, how long do you treat your patients for constipation? _______ week(s)/ month(s)/year(s)
12 When do you stop treatment?
Thank you so much for your participation