A recent study published in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition evaluated the efficacy and safety of combined oral and enema therapy using polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3350 with electrolyte solution for disimpaction in hospitalized children.

This retrospective study recruited 28 children with functional constipation who received inpatient treatment between 2008 and 2016. The amount of oral PEG 3350 electrolyte solution administered was 3-4.1 g/kg/day, and an enema solution was administered 1-2 times a day as a single dose of 15-25 mL/kg. In a few of these patients, a colon transit time (CTT) test was performed. The mean of the number of oral and enema doses of PEG 3350 electrolyte solution was 2.1±0.3 times and 2.9±0.4 times, respectively.

The results revealed that after disimpaction, the frequency of defecation increased from 2.2±0.3 per week to once a day. Additionally, the number of patients who complained of abdominal pain was decreased, from 15 to 4. Five out of nine patients who underwent a CTT test were classified as belonging to a group showing abnormalities. While in some patients, mild adverse effects were evident. On the other hand, no abnormalities were detected in relation to electrolytes and osmolality before and after disimpaction in 16 out of 28 patients.

Hence, it was inferred that combined oral and enema therapy using high-dose PEG 3350 with electrolytes has better therapeutic efficacy and safety to conventional oral monotherapy or combined oral and enema therapy.