Diurnal Variation in Rectal Diameter

Diurnal Variation in Rectal Diameter Measured by Transabdominal Ultrasound in Healthy and Constipated Children.

The purpose of the study is to determine the diurnal variation of rectal diameter in healthy and constipated children using transabdominal ultrasound.

Constipated Inclusion Criteria:

• Children from 4 to 12 years with previously diagnosed simple constipation defined by ROME III criteria, which at inclusion is in maintenance therapy with PEG + E and has been in treatment for at least 1 month.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children with known organic causes of constipation, including Hirschsprungs disease, spinal and anal congenital abnormalities, previous surgery on the colon, inflammatory bowel disease, allergy and metabolic or endocrine diseases.
• Children receiving drugs known to affect bowel function during a 2 month period before initiation besides laxatives.

Healthy inclusion Criteria:

• Children between 4 and 12 years of age.

Healthy exclusion Criteria:

• Children with known organic causes of constipation, including Hirschsprungs disease, spinal and anal congenital abnormalities, previous surgery on the colon, inflammatory bowel disease, allergy and metabolic or endocrine diseases.
• Children receiving drugs known to affect bowel function during a 2 month period before initiation.
• Children with a previous history of constipation, fecal incontinence and / or urinary tract infections.