Glucomannan for Childhood Functional Constipation.

Functional Constipation Clinical Trial

Official title: Glucomannan in Treating Childhood Functional Constipation: a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial.

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether administration of glucomannan (dietary fiber) is effective in treating functional constipation in children.

Clinical Trial Description

Constipation is a common condition in children. In many patients symptoms persist to adulthood and decrease quality of life. The standard treatment, mostly osmotic laxatives such as lactulose or polyethyleneglycols, are often ineffective and may cause adverse events. Therefore, alternative treatment measures are being searched for.

Glucomannan, a water-soluble fiber polysaccharide from the tubers of the Japanese Konjac plant, has been reported to be effective in constipated children. To date, 2 randomized trials were performed.1,2 One evaluated the effect as glucomannan as an adjunct to standard treatment.1 Another was conducted in neurologically impaired children, who constitute a specific population that cannot be compared to patients with functional constipation.2 In both trials, the number of patients was relatively small.

Well-powered, randomized controlled study is required to evaluate clinical effectiveness of glucomannan as a sole treatment in childhood functional constipation. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Constipation
• Functional Constipation

• NCT number: NCT01151878
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Medical University of Warsaw
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 3
• Start date: April 2009
• Completion date: June 2010