CROSCIP Survey Brings Out Insights into Indian Pediatricians' Perceptions of Constipation in Children

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000 emerged as the preferred choice among the majority of pediatricians for fecal disimpaction and maintenance therapy in pediatric constipation, the results of CROSCIP survey has shown.

CROSCIP was a nationwide cross-sectional survey conducted on 1042 pediatricians regarding Perception of Indian Pediatricians about Constipation in children (CROSCIP). This survey concluded that PEG 4000 is the preferred choice of osmotic laxative for fecal disimpaction and maintenance therapy in children with functional constipation.

Published in the July 2023 issue of Medical Research Archives of the European Society of Medicine, this survey included 14 questionnaires with a focus on understanding constipation in real-world Indian clinical settings, clinical presentations, management approaches, and treatment adherence

Key highlights from the survey results include:

• The most common age group of children presenting with functional constipation was 2-4 years. The most commonly reported symptoms were painful passage of hard and dry stools with a frequency of fewer than two stools per week.
• PEG 4000 was the preferred choice for fecal disimpaction by 44.2% and as maintenance therapy by 52.2% of pediatricians.
• 69.7% of pediatricians reportedly prescribed PEG 4000 oral liquid in their pediatric practice. Pediatricians enlisted different advantages of PEG 4000 over PEG 3350, including small volume, ease of administration, quick action, better palatability, and better compliance.
• The survey indicated that PEG 4000 is preferred over PEG 3350 as it doesn't cause significant electrolyte imbalances and can be used without electrolytes. Additionally, children showed a preference for the taste of PEG 4000 without electrolytes, which may influence treatment adherence.

Adapted from:

Kesavelu D, Savla S, et al., 2023. A Cross-sectional Survey on the Perception of Pediatricians about Constipation in Indian Pediatric Patients (CROSCIP), Medical Research Archives, [online] 11(7). https://doi.org/10.18103/mra. v11i7.2.4117