Diagnosis and management of idiopathic childhood constipation: summary of NICE guidance

摘要: Constipation is described as “the subjective complaint of passage abnormally delayed or infrequent dry, hardened faeces, often accompanied by straining and/or pain.”1 common in childhood, rarely life threatening, and therefore might be expected to have little effect on healthcare provision. The reality somewhat different, however. Symptoms become chronic more than a third patients, causing great discomfort, many children need medical treatment nursing care.2 3 4 5 Lack understanding about the condition, diagnosis, suboptimal support contribute ongoing symptoms multiple consultations.6 Social costs include missing school, being excluded from peer group activities, feeling that they cannot tell their friends condition. This article summarises most recent recommendations National Institute for Health Clinical Excellence (NICE) care management young people with idiopathic constipation.7 NICE are based systematic reviews best available evidence explicit consideration cost effectiveness. When minimal available, experience opinion Guideline Development Group (GDG) what constitutes good practice. Evidence levels given italic square brackets. ### Establishing presence constipation Establish whether constipation present during history taking. Two following findings indicate constipation: