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Effect of the dietary fiber glucomannan on chronic constipation in neurologically impaired children

Annamaria Staiano,Domenico Simeone, Ennio Del Giudice et al. 2000,136 (1):41–45

The Journal of Pediatrics

Abstract

Objective: Inadequate dietary fiber intake is a widely accepted explanation for chronic constipation in children with severe brain damage. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of glucomannan, a soluble fiber, as a treatment for chronic constipation in these children.Study design: Twenty children with severe brain damage and chronic constipation were randomly assigned to double-blind treatment with either glucomannan (n = 10) or placebo (n = 10) for 12 weeks. Stool habits, total and segmental gastrointestinal transit times, and anorectal motility were evaluated in all children before and after the treatment period. Results: Glucomannan significantly increased (P < .01) stool frequency, whereas the effect of placebo was not significant. Laxative or suppository use was significantly reduced (P < .01) by glucomannan but was not affected by placebo. Clinical scores of stool consistency were significantly improved and episodes of painful defecation per week were significantly reduced by glucomannan (P < .01) but not by placebo. However, neither glucomannan nor placebo had a measurable effect on total and segmental transit times.Conclusions: In neurologically impaired children, glucomannan improves stool frequency but has no effect on colonic motility.