Constipation is associated with spina bifida occulta in children. 2008

Zhengwei Yuan, and Wei Cheng, and Ana Hou, and Wei Wang, and Shucheng Zhang, and Dan Liu, and Fei Gao, and Hui Li, and Weilin Wang
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China. yuanzw@hotmail.com

OBJECTIVE Spina bifida occulta (SBO) is a common developmental variant. The aim of this study was to re-examine the possible association between SBO and constipation in children. METHODS A total of 113 children with constipation underwent plain abdominal radiography, anorectal manometry, neurophysiologic study, electromyography testing, and colonic transit study. Eighty-six were diagnosed with functional constipation (FC) and 27 were diagnosed with nonretentive fecal incontinence (NRFI). The incidence of SBO in these children was compared with 226 sex- and age-matched controls. Twenty-four SBO children with either FC or NRFI also underwent individualized biofeedback training and electric stimulation therapy based on the investigation results. RESULTS The incidence of SBO in the FC and NRFI groups was 47.7% and 77.8%, respectively. Statistically, this is significantly higher than that of the control group (chi-square, 23.9%; P < .05). Compared with the FC or NRFI children without SBO, the FC and NRFI children with SBO had decreased vector volumes and electromyography amplitudes, increased rectal sensory thresholds, and prolonged latency of pudendo-anal reflex. All 24 children who underwent individualized biofeedback training and electrical stimulation treatment had sustained symptomatic improvement with less straining, fewer incomplete bowel movements, and less abdominal pain. The recovery rate was 79.2% (19 of 24). CONCLUSIONS Constipation in children is associated with increased incidence of SBO. Individualized biofeedback combined with electrical stimulation improves both the symptoms and the objective anorectal function measurements.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008365 Manometry Measurement of the pressure or tension of liquids or gases with a manometer. Tonometry,Manometries
D011860 Radiography, Abdominal Radiographic visualization of the body between the thorax and the pelvis, i.e., within the peritoneal cavity. Abdominal Radiography,Abdominal Radiographies,Radiographies, Abdominal
D012007 Rectum The distal segment of the LARGE INTESTINE, between the SIGMOID COLON and the ANAL CANAL. Rectums
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D002675 Child, Preschool A child between the ages of 2 and 5. Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D003106 Colon The segment of LARGE INTESTINE between the CECUM and the RECTUM. It includes the ASCENDING COLON; the TRANSVERSE COLON; the DESCENDING COLON; and the SIGMOID COLON. Appendix Epiploica,Taenia Coli,Omental Appendices,Omental Appendix,Appendices, Omental,Appendix, Omental
D003248 Constipation Infrequent or difficult evacuation of FECES. These symptoms are associated with a variety of causes, including low DIETARY FIBER intake, emotional or nervous disturbances, systemic and structural disorders, drug-induced aggravation, and infections. Colonic Inertia,Dyschezia
D004576 Electromyography Recording of the changes in electric potential of muscle by means of surface or needle electrodes. Electromyogram,Surface Electromyography,Electromyograms,Electromyographies,Electromyographies, Surface,Electromyography, Surface,Surface Electromyographies
D005242 Fecal Incontinence Failure of voluntary control of the anal sphincters, with involuntary passage of feces and flatus. Bowel Incontinence,Fecal Soiling,Incontinence, Bowel,Incontinence, Fecal,Soilings, Fecal

Related Publications

Zhengwei Yuan, and Wei Cheng, and Ana Hou, and Wei Wang, and Shucheng Zhang, and Dan Liu, and Fei Gao, and Hui Li, and Weilin Wang
August 1994, Journal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh,
Zhengwei Yuan, and Wei Cheng, and Ana Hou, and Wei Wang, and Shucheng Zhang, and Dan Liu, and Fei Gao, and Hui Li, and Weilin Wang
June 2004, The Journal of urology,
Zhengwei Yuan, and Wei Cheng, and Ana Hou, and Wei Wang, and Shucheng Zhang, and Dan Liu, and Fei Gao, and Hui Li, and Weilin Wang
February 1893, The Southern medical record,
Zhengwei Yuan, and Wei Cheng, and Ana Hou, and Wei Wang, and Shucheng Zhang, and Dan Liu, and Fei Gao, and Hui Li, and Weilin Wang
January 1914, Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine,
Zhengwei Yuan, and Wei Cheng, and Ana Hou, and Wei Wang, and Shucheng Zhang, and Dan Liu, and Fei Gao, and Hui Li, and Weilin Wang
January 1945, Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine,
Zhengwei Yuan, and Wei Cheng, and Ana Hou, and Wei Wang, and Shucheng Zhang, and Dan Liu, and Fei Gao, and Hui Li, and Weilin Wang
April 1969, Journal of the Indian Medical Association,
Zhengwei Yuan, and Wei Cheng, and Ana Hou, and Wei Wang, and Shucheng Zhang, and Dan Liu, and Fei Gao, and Hui Li, and Weilin Wang
January 2021, Orthopedic nursing,
Zhengwei Yuan, and Wei Cheng, and Ana Hou, and Wei Wang, and Shucheng Zhang, and Dan Liu, and Fei Gao, and Hui Li, and Weilin Wang
April 1971, Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946),
Zhengwei Yuan, and Wei Cheng, and Ana Hou, and Wei Wang, and Shucheng Zhang, and Dan Liu, and Fei Gao, and Hui Li, and Weilin Wang
May 1971, Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946),
Zhengwei Yuan, and Wei Cheng, and Ana Hou, and Wei Wang, and Shucheng Zhang, and Dan Liu, and Fei Gao, and Hui Li, and Weilin Wang
February 2008, Journal of neurosurgery. Pediatrics,
Copied contents to your clipboard!