Comparing the Effect of Polyethylene Glycol, Psyllium Seed Husk Powder, and Probiotics on Constipation in Children

Background: One of the most common childhood abnormalities is constipation, typically affecting about 1 - 30% of children worldwide. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effect of psyllium seed husk powder versus polyethylene glycol with and without probiotics on constipation in children. Methods: A total of 144 children in the age range of 2 - 12 years with acute functional constipation who met the inclusion criteria were included in this study. The subjects were randomly divided into four equal groups (n = 36 each). The first group received polyethylene glycol (A), the second group received polyethylene glycol with probiotics (B), the third group received psyllium (C), and the fourth group received psyllium with probiotics (D). Finally, the number of bowel movements and painless bowel movements were examined after three weeks. Results: After three weeks, the effects of polyethylene glycol with and without probiotics on the number of bowel movements and painless bowel movements were significantly different than psyllium with and without probiotics (P = 0.001). While no significant difference was observed between treatment groups A and B (P = 0.9), there was a significant difference between treatment groups C and D (P = 0.01). Conclusions: Polyethylene glycol had a greater effect on improving the symptoms of constipation in children compared to psyllium. Although fortification of polyethylene glycol with probiotics had no significant effect, fortification of psyllium with probiotics improved the symptoms of constipation in children compared to psyllium alone.