Robert D. Murray, B. Ulysses K. Li, H. Juhling McClung, Leo Heitlinger, Donna Rehm

Cisapride for Intractable Constipation in Children

  • Gastroenterology
  • Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health
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Twelve patients with chronic constipation refractory to the vigorous use of emollients, enemas, and/or laxatives were chosen for study of the investigational prokinetic agent, Cisapride. The patients included 8 boys and 4 girls with diagnoses of functional constipation. Ages ranged from 2 to 13 years; duration of symptoms before Cisapride use ranged from 1.5 to 9.75 years; duration of previous treatment ranged from 0.75 to 6 years. The mean number of doses of anticonstipation agents employed per week was 14. Of the 12 patients, 10 had persistent encopresis, while 11 required hospitalization for disimpaction an average of 1.6 times in the year prior to Cisapride use. Three had chronic urinary tract complaints. Anal manometry suggested a sensory deficit in 8 of 10 patients tested. Ganglion cells were identified by rectal biopsy in all 12 patients. Cisapride treatment (0.14–0.3 mg/kg/dose) spanned 26–72 weeks (61 ± 12). Stool frequency per week was not significantly changed, but five of seven patients who had reported hard stools had softer stools on the drug (p < 0.05). Encopresis ceased in 8 of 10 cases, while the number of episodes decreased substantially in the other 2 cases (p < 0.05). All alternate forms of anticonstipation therapy were withdrawn in 8 of 12 cases (p < 0.0001). Urinary problems improved in two of the three patients reporting symptoms. One patient showed no improvement in any parameter while on the agent, despite 26 weeks of administration. Side effects were infrequent, generally occurred early, and were limited to cramping, nausea, mild vomiting, anorexia, and headaches. One patient ceased use of the drug for persistent headaches. This open trial suggests the need for a controlled study of the drug Cisapride for the indication of unremitting constipation and encopresis in childhood.

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