TITLE:
Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Chronic Constipation in Senegalese Children
AUTHORS:
Abou Ba, Aliou Thiongane, Ndeye Fatou Sow, Babacar Niang, Younoussa Keïta, Fatou Ly, Ousmane N’diaye
KEYWORDS:
Children, Chronic Constipation, Bristol Scale, Dakar, Hirschsprung Disease
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.13 No.6,
November
22,
2023
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Constipation is the infrequent emission of hard stools. It is common,
most often of functional origin, with a prevalence ranging from 0.7% to 29.6%.
The aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence of constipation in
children undergoing paediatric gastroenterology. Methodology: This was a
bi-centric retrospective study carried out at the Albert Royer Children’s
Hospital and the Dalal Jamm Hospital Pediatrics Department. Children followed
in the pediatric gastroenterology consultation during the period from January
1, 2013 to February 29, 2020 were included. Results: A total of 337
children (205 boys; 60.83%) were included, representing a prevalence of 25%.
The median age was 3 years 6 months. The 13 - 24 months
age group was the most frequent (27.6%). Rare stools were the main reason for
consultation (92.8%). Rare stools were noted in 92.88% of cases. Bristol types
1 and 2 accounted for 6.53% and 54.60% respectively. The main associated signs were abdominal pain (29.4%), followed by
abdominal bloating (20.96%). Abdominal pain was functional in 73.58% of
cases. Under treatment, 90.19% of children had a favorable outcome. Conclusion: Constipation is common in Senegalese children with a prevalence close to that
reported in Western countries. In most
case, it is functional with good prognostic.