Comparison of three therapeutic interventions for chronic constipation in paediatric patients with cerebral palsy: a randomised clinical trial

Introduction: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a permanent non-progressive movement disorder, which is due to brain injuries during brain development. Constipation is one of the prevalent conditions in children with CP that can adversely affect the psychological health, appetite, and overall health of these patients.

Aim: To compare three therapeutic methods in the treatment of chronic constipation in CP children.

Material and methods: In this randomised clinical trial (RCT), paediatric CP patients with chronic constipation were randomly divided into three groups (groups A, B, and C). Group A received polyethylene glycol (PEG), group B received PEG with Motilium, and group C received Motilium for 2 weeks. Motilium was administered at 0.2 mg/kg/dose and PEG at 0.5 g/kg/dose three times daily. To compare the therapeutic effect the McNemar test was used and a significance level of 0.05 was considered.

Results: The highest rate of improvement in chronic constipation was seen in group B and the lowest rate belonged to group C. Satisfactory response frequency was seen in 10 patients in group A (58.8%), 17 patients in group B (94.4%), and 1 patient in group C (6.6%); p < 0.001.

Conclusions: According to the findings, simultaneous use of PEG and Motilium had the best therapeutic effect for chronic constipation among CP children. However, Motilium alone was nearly ineffective, and PEG alone had a moderate therapeutic effect.