Colonic transit time and constipation in children with spastic cerebral palsy

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Authors: Eun Sook Park ; Chang Il Park ; Youn Soo Cho ; Sang-il Na ; Sung-Rae Cho

Citation: ARCHIVES OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION, Vol.85(3) : 453-456, 2004

MeSH: Brain/pathology ; Cerebral Palsy/complications ; Cerebral Palsy/pathology ; Cerebral Palsy/physiopathology* ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; ColonicDiseases, Functional/etiology ; ColonicDiseases, Functional/physiopathology* ; Constipation/etiology ; Constipation/physiopathology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diet ; Female ; GastrointestinalTransit/physiology* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; TimeFactors

Keywords: Cerebral palsy ; Colon ; Gastrointestinal motility ; Rehabilitation

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To evaluate colonic motility and to investigate contributing factors to colonic dysmotility in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP).
DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.
SETTING: A university-based rehabilitation hospital.
PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-eight children with spastic CP.
INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Colonic transit time was measured by using a Sitzmarks. The nutrient intake during 3 consecutive days was analyzed by using the ESHA Food Processor program.
RESULTS: A significant relationship between colon transit time and stool frequency was observed (P<.05). All children with constipation and 17 (60.8%) of 28 without constipation showed an abnormal segmental colon transit time in at least 1 segment of the colon. A transit time delay at the proximal segment of colon was remarkable in CP children with constipation. In children without constipation, a transit time delay was marked at the rectosigmoid colon only. Constipation and transit time delay were significantly related to ambulatory function (P<.05).
CONCLUSIONS: A transit time delay at total or segmental colon was frequently observed in children with CP. Constipation and colonic motility were related to ambulatory function.