Aim of the study: is to determine the epidemiological features of chronic idiopathic constipation among children attending pediatric out patient clinic of Benha university hospitals. Also to make strategy for management of this problem according to the finding.
Methods: The study is a cross- sectional, short term descriptive type of epidemiological studies that carried on children with age group between 6 to 12 years attending pediatric out patient clinic of Benha university hospitals by using a questionnaire in a simple arabic language in the period from April 2010 to January 2011.
Results: It was found that constipation is more prevalent among females (63%) than males (37%) and more common in children of an urban area (68%) than children of rural area (32%). In addition constipation is more common in low social class (64%) than high social class, and more among those who had positive family history of constipation (24%). The incidence of constipation was more in those who had history of allergy(26%), history of prolonged intake of iron containing medications (16%), antacids intakes(7%) and in those with history of anal wounds(16 %). It was also more among inactive children (88%) and in children who preferred intake foods of low dietary fibers as excess fried potato intake is more frequently found among constipated children as it represents the favourite food in nearly (47%). In addition constipated children who do not drink excess juice (less than 1 cup per day) about (73%).Moreover constipated children who do not eat regular daily intake of fruits and vegetables (70% & 68% respectively) all the previous differences are statistically significant p |
