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

This was a retrospective study which assessed 28 children having functional constipation who received inpatient treatment. These children received an oral PEG electrolyte solution, 50-70 mL/kg/day (PEG 3350). Additionally, an enema solution was administered 1-2 times a day as a single dose of 15-25 mL/kg (PEG 3350). A colon transit time (CTT) test was performed in nine of the participants.

The findings showed that after disimpaction, the frequency of defecation increased among these pediatric patients from 2.2±0.3 per week to once a day (1.1±0.1 per day). While, the number of patients who complained of abdominal pain was reduced from 53.6% to 14.3%. According to the CTT test results, 55.6% elicited abnormalities; in some patients, mild adverse effects were noted, but no abnormalities were detected with respect to electrolytes and osmolality before and after disimpaction in 16 of the children.

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