Psychiatric Features of Children with Chronic Functional Constipation: Focusing on Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Overview

Journal J Autism Dev Disord

Publisher Springer

Date 2024 Jan 24

PMID 38265573

Authors

Fumiaki Akama

Katsunaka Mikami

Yasushi Orihashi

Syunya Takase

Kyuta Hanawa

Keita Nishikawa

Natsuru Watanabe

Keitaro Kimoto

Yuki Takahashi

Yuichi Onishi

Juan Salas

Kenji Yamamoto

Shigeru Ueno

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: The present study aimed to assess the psychiatric characteristics of children with chronic functional constipation using the Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Japanese version and the Pervasive Developmental Disorders/Autism Society Japan Rating Scale, and to examine the frequency of autism spectrum disorder in children with chronic functional constipation. We also investigated differences in treatment duration between children with and without autism spectrum disorder.

Methods: Treatment outcomes were examined retrospectively for 55 participants (chronic functional constipation group: n = 30, mean age 3.4 years; control group: n = 25, mean age, 4.5 years). The association between chronic functional constipation and autism spectrum disorder was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results: The mean Aberrant Behavior Checklist score and frequency of individuals with autism spectrum disorder were significantly higher in the chronic functional constipation group. After adjusting for age and sex, chronic functional constipation was significantly associated with autism spectrum disorder. In the chronic functional constipation group, the frequency of onset was significantly higher in children with autism spectrum disorder under 1 year of age. When treated, the mean duration of constipation was significantly longer in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Conclusion: Pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, and child psychiatrists should work closely to ensure appropriate treatment of chronic functional constipation in children with autism spectrum disorder.

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