Chronic constipation: prevalence in the pediatric outpatient department of the General Pediatric Hospital of the Instituto Materno Infantil de Pernambuco

Abstract Objetives: to determine the prevalence of chronic constipation (CC) in childhood of the Instituto Materno Infantil de Pernambuco (IMIP). Methods: cross-sectional study in the pediatric outpatient department in Hospital General of Pediatrics of IMlp, during the month of October of 1997. The mothers ofpatients receiving care for the first time, aged from 1 month to 14 yea rs, were invited to participate in the study after care had been delivered. After the objectives of the study were explained and verbal agreement to participate was given, the interview began. A previouslytested, structured questionnaire was used for data collection, with the objective of iden tifying constipated patients. CC was considered to exist in children who present, at least two of the follo wing conditions: painf or difficulty in passing hard stools aml/or frequency of defecation lower than three times per week. Results: prevalence of CC was 15,9%. Among males, prevalence was 11,1 %, and among females, 20,1 %; by age group, prevalence was: infants 15,3%, preschool children 17,3%, children 13,2 %, adolescents 16,7%. Conclusions: CC was a prevalent symptom, with predominar ce among female and pre-school childreno Symptoms must be actively searched for during routine children 's health care with a view to appriate advice and reduction of morbidity associa(ed to the problem.