Características clínico epidemiológicas de constipación crónica funcional en pacientes de 3 a 15 años atendidos en el servicio de gastroenterología pediátrica del Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso Cuenca 2021

Abstract

Background: Functional constipation implies underestimated difficulties regarding health, compromising the quality of life of children. Objective: To determine the clinical-epidemiological characteristics of constipation in patients between 3 and 15 years of age treated at the pediatric gastroenterology service of the Vicente Corral Moscoso Hospital. Methods: Descriptive, quantitative study whose universe was made up of patients from 3 to 15 years of age treated in the pediatric gastroenterology service during 2021. It included 111 patients. Data collection was carried out by reviewing medical records and applying a survey based on a form designed by the author, validated by a commission of experts. The information was analyzed applying descriptive statistics, using the statistical software SPSS V.26. The variables are presented in frequencies and percentages. Results: Predominated: female sex (53.2%), school age group (50.5%), urban origin (78.4%). Abdominal pain (73%) and painful defecation (48.6%) were the most frequent symptoms. 33.3% of the patients received exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and 77.5% started complementary feeding before 6 months. 44.1% had a family history of constipation. 85.6% consumed less than 4 glasses of water per day. The enema (60.4%) and polyethylene glycol (36%) were the most widely used treatments. Complications: chronic abdominal pain (45.9%) and fecal impaction (44.1%). Conclusion: The female gender, schoolchildren, urban residents, abdominal and defecation pain, early weaning and low water consumption were the most frequent clinicalepidemiological characteristics.