Pediatrics Functional Constipation and school-Whether are linked?

Background: Functional Constipation (FC) is one of the important digestive disorders in pediatrics. Its prevalence varies in different communities. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of FC in our area between the school children and the impact of school on it. Methods: This study was done on 4 to 12 years old children of nine schools and kindergartens of Amirkola, (2007). After completing the constipation questionnaires by parents and children, all constipated children referred to gastroenterologist to confirm the diagnosis of functional constipation. All children were followed in summer when they didn’t go to school and in next year-the winter of 2009. Age, sex, the incidence of constipation in the school time and the summer holiday, health status of the toilets in school and the age of children were recorded when they learned to clean themselves. Results: Of all 493 studied cases the prevalence of FC was 21.3% (105 cases). There was no significant difference between the genders (p=0.913). All 99 constipated cases were reevaluated for constipation in summer and only 25 (18 boys and 7girls) of them were constipate. In the next school year the number of constipated case reaches to 90 cases again that there was significant relation between constipation and school months (p<0.01). Conclusions: The prevalence of FC in children was significantly high and school attendance had a great impact on it. We advise that the awareness of school officials and parents can reduce the prevalence of FC

Effects of Cisapride on QTc Interval in Children

Objective: Cisapride is a prokinetic drug with different reports on its cardiac side effects. As there might be a genetic susceptibility for the effects of this drug, we studied its effects on QTc interval of children in our region. Material & Methods: This semi-experimental study was performed on children aged over one month, who attended Amirkola Children’s Hospital from October 2004 to March 2005 and needed to be treated with Cisapride. Patients with risk factors such as cardiac disease, electrolyte disturbance and drug usage interfering with Cisapride metabolism were excluded from the study. Cisapride was prescribed orally 0.6mg/kg/day in 3 doses. ECG was taken in lead II before drug administration and after one week. QTc intervals before and after treatment were compared. P-value >0.05 was considered significant. Findings: Among 135 admitted children needing Cisapride, 118 cases fulfilled inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. Their mean age was 14.1 (1.5) months. The mean QTc intervals before and after treatment were 377 (20) msec and 380 (22) msec, respectively (P=0.1). No child had a QTc interval more than 450 msec. Conclusion: Cisapride (0.6mg/kg/day) did not cause a significant prolonged QTc interval in children with no risk factor