A study of familial aggregation of habitual constipation

Abstract

Background: Constipation is a frequent complication in pediatrics, most of which is habitual, comprising 25% of visits in pediatric gastroenterology clinics. Objectives: The main object of this study was to investigate clustering of habitual constipation among families of pediatric patients. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on families of 150 children < 18 years old with chronic habitual constipation along-side families of 150 healthy children as controls. The cases were enrolled in the study according to the Rome IV criteria for constipa-tion. The parents and siblings were evaluated regarding constipation. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16, χ2 and t-test were used for comparison. Results: A total of 300 children and their families participated in the study. No significant differences were found between the study and the control groups in age, sex, or BMI. However, the siblings or parents from the study group had significantly higher rates of constipation compared with the control group. Conclusions: Considering different survey findings, a correlation between “habitual constipation” and “familial background” seems to exist in children. A clear pathophysiological explanation for this phenomenon is not yet available.