The purpose of this study is to determine if milk and molasses enema or PEG 3350 works better for treatment of fecal impaction in children who are constipated.

Constipation is a common condition in childhood and occurs without evidence of a pathological condition in most children. Symptoms range from decreased appetite to abdominal pain and constipation is frequently diagnosed in children evaluated in emergency departments. A general guideline for constipation treatment is fecal impaction removal before initiation of maintenance therapy. Disimpaction may be achieved using various oral therapies (e.g. including Polyethylene Glycol 3350 or PEG); however, rectal therapies, most commonly enemas, are frequently used, especially in the emergency/urgent care setting. The optimal treatment has not been established. There are no published randomized studies that compare effectiveness of oral versus rectal treatments.

Comparison: One milk and molasses enema given to the patient in the emergency department compared to three oral doses of PEG 3350 for relief of symptoms due to fecal impaction and constipation.

• Drug: PEG 3350
• Drug: milk and molasses enema

Inclusion Criteria:

• Constipated children who have one of the following three conditions:

  • Fecal impaction (lower quadrant mass or dilated rectum with hard stool),
  • Functional fecal retention (large diameter stools as determined by caregiver <twice/week and retentive behaviors, or
  • Excessive stool in colon on abdominal radiograph as determined by attending radiologist or treating physician

Exclusion Criteria:

• Ill appearing patients (signs of acute surgical abdomen, abnormal vital signs, or overall ill appearing as determined by treating physician)
• Patients whose evaluation in the ED includes more than plain radiographs or urinalysis
• Patients who receive analgesia for the abdominal pain in the ED (except acetaminophen or ibuprofen)
• Non-English speaking patients and families
• Patients with milk allergy
• Patients with molasses allergy
• Patients who are pregnant
• Patients with a chronic medical conditions which may be associated with constipation (including patients with cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, hypothyroidism, spinal anomalies, and known gastrointestinal anatomic abnormalities) or a history of prior abdominal or rectal surgery
• Patients who are admitted to an in-patient unit