Efficacy of Two Regimens for Colon Cleansing Using Polyethylene Glycol 4000: A Randomized Open Label Trial.

AIM: To compare effectiveness, safety and tolerance of two colon cleansing regimens using polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG) in children.

METHODS

Prospective, randomized, open clinical trial carried out in 129 children, 3 to 18 years old undergoing colonoscopy. Patients were randomized into two groups, 64 children received PEG with electrolyte (50 mL/kg) and oral bisacodyl (PEG+B group) or 65 other children received PEG with electrolyte (70 mL/kg) and glycerol enema (PEG+G group).

RESULTS

Both regimens showed a good colon cleansing effectiveness with the percentage of successful cleansing being 93.8% for PEG+B regimen and 89.1% for PEG+G regimen (P=0.51). There was no statistically significant difference between the pre-regimen and post-regimen laboratory values. The rates of nausea (65.6% vs 31.3%; P<0.001) and bloating (50% vs 17.2%; P<0.001) of PEG+G group were significantly higher than that of PEG+B group.

CONCLUSION

Both regimens had good efficacy and safety for colon cleansing in children. The tolerance of PEG+B regimen was better.