KẾT QUẢ ĐIỀU TRỊ TÁO BÓN CHỨC NĂNG BẰNG PHÁC ĐỒ CÓ SỬ DỤNG LACTULOSE Ở TRẺ EM TẠI BỆNH VIỆN NHI THÁI BÌNH

Abstract

Constipation is a common digestive disorder in children, of which functional constipation accounts for 90–95% of cases. Aim: To evaluate the treatment outcomes of functional constipation in children aged < 6 years using a regimen with Lactulose at Thai Binh Pediatric Hospital. Materials and Methods: An interventional study was conducted on 86 children aged 1 to 6 years diagnosed with functional constipation according to the ROME IV criteria, from June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025. Results: The boy-to-girl ratio was 1.3, and the mean age was 30.2 ± 17.4 months. The recovery rate from constipation after 1, 2 and 3 month of treatment was 65%, 70.1% and 79.1%, respectively. The rates of clinical symptoms such as straining, anal pain during defecation, anal fissures, fecal soiling, stool withholding posture, and passage of hard stools significantly decreased after the first month of treatment (p < 0.05). After 3 months, no children had stool type 1 according to the Bristol Stool Scale. The average number of bowel movements per week improved from 1.7 ± 0.5 times/week to 3.9 ± 1.7 times after 1 month, 5.0 ± 1.7 times after 2 months, and 5.7 ± 1.7 times after 3 months of treatment (p < 0.001). Adverse effects were mainly gastrointestinal and mostly self-limiting. Conclusion: The Lactulose regimen with an initial dose of 1 ml/kg/day combined with dietary and behavioral counseling provided high clinical efficacy, improving symptoms, bowel movement frequency, stool consistency, lifestyle habits, and safety.