Caracterización de los pacientes de 1 a 4 años con constipación, atendidos desde el 1 de enero del 2021 hasta el 31 de diciembre del 2022 en la consulta externa de gastroenterología del Hospital de Niños Dr. Roberto Gilbert Elizalde.

Abstract

Introduction: Constipation is a common condition in children, with most cases being of functional origin (95%). Diagnosis is based on the Rome IV criteria and the identification of alarm signs, and treatment involves a multidisciplinary approach. Objective: - To establish the prevalence of functional constipation in children aged 1 to 4 years attending the outpatient gastroenterology clinic. - To recognize the clinical characteristics of constipation in this age group. - To determine the underlying causes of constipation in these patients. - To describe the diagnosis and management of this condition in the outpatient gastroenterology clinic. Methods: An observational, retrospective, crosssectional, descriptive, and prevalence study was conducted in patients aged 1 to 4 years. Data were analyzed using the statistical software R, RStudio, and IBM SPSS version 29. Results: The sample consisted of 473 patients. The prevalence in this age group was 11.9%, with an average age of 2.74 years. The most common symptom was abdominal distension/retention of stools (93.66%). It was observed that 6.13% of patients received disimpaction treatment, and maintenance was mostly done with dietary measures plus polyethylene glycol (51.16%). Conclusions: Functional constipation was found in 94.92% of cases. An accurate diagnosis can help avoid treatment delays, timely detect organic pathologies, and improve symptoms and the quality of life of the patient and their family. Treatment is based on a combination of measures aimed at preventing relapses.