AUTHOR=Avelar Rodriguez David , Popov Jelena , Ratcliffe Elyanne M. , Toro Monjaraz Erick Manuel TITLE=Functional Constipation and the Gut Microbiome in Children: Preclinical and Clinical Evidence JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pediatrics VOLUME=8 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2020.595531 DOI=10.3389/fped.2020.595531 ISSN=2296-2360 ABSTRACT=

Functional constipation is a common condition in childhood with significant impact on patients' quality of life and on health care resources. Functional constipation is characterized by decreased bowel movements and/or hard stools, which cause significant distress for children and their caregivers. While the term “functional” may imply the absence of organic causes with a focus on behavioral aspects, 40% of children continue to have symptoms beyond conventional management with one in four children continuing to experience constipation into adulthood. The refractory and chronic nature of constipation highlights the importance of considering a range of pathophysiological mechanisms, including the potential role of the gut microbiome. In this review, we provide an overview of preclinical and clinical studies that focus on the potential mechanisms through which the gut microbiome might contribute to the clinical presentation of functional constipation in pediatrics.