From the Guidelines
PEG 3350 is a safe and effective option for bowel preparation in children, with a recommended dose of 1.5 g/kg/d for 4 days before the procedure, along with a clear liquid diet on the fourth day. The use of PEG 3350 in children is supported by a study published in Gastroenterology in 2014 1, which suggests that it can be an effective and safe option for bowel preparation in pediatric patients. Some key points to consider when using PEG 3350 in children include:
- Maintaining adequate hydration during colonoscopy preparation, especially in children
- Selecting bowel preparation regimens individualized according to the patient’s age, clinical state, and anticipated willingness or ability to comply with the specific medications
- Being aware of the potential for mucosal changes with the use of certain bowel preparations, such as NaP
- Considering alternative regimens, such as intestinal lavage or laxatives and enemas, for older children
- Monitoring for side effects, such as abdominal discomfort, bloating, or diarrhea, and adjusting the dose as needed. It's also important to note that while there are no controlled trials using PEG 3350 in children, the available evidence suggests that it can be a safe and effective option for bowel preparation in this population 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Keep out of reach of children. The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Efficacy of PEG 3350 in Children
- PEG 3350 has been shown to be effective in the treatment of childhood constipation in multiple studies 2, 3, 4.
- A multicenter, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial found that 77%, 74%, and 73% of children treated with 0.2,0.4, and 0.8 g/kg per day of PEG 3350, respectively, had a successful treatment response, compared to 42% of those receiving placebo 2.
- Another study found that daily administration of PEG 3350 at a mean dose of 0.8 g/kg is an effective, safe, and palatable treatment for constipation in children 3.
Safety and Tolerability
- PEG 3350 has been found to be well tolerated in children, with few adverse effects reported 2, 3, 4.
- A study found that treatment-related adverse events occurred in similar numbers of children on PEG 3350 and placebo during treatment, with all events being mild or moderate 4.
- However, one study found that there was more abdominal pain and fecal incontinence in patients receiving 0.8 g/kg of PEG 3350 per day 2.
Recommended Dosage
- A study recommends a starting dose of 0.4 g/kg per day of PEG 3350 for the treatment of childhood constipation 2.
- Another study found that the mean effective dose of PEG 3350 was 0.84 g/kg per day, with a range of 0.27-1.42 g/kg per day 3.
Comparison to Other Treatments
- PEG 3350 has been found to be significantly more effective than placebo in the treatment of chronic constipation in children 4.
- A review of current guidelines on the treatment of functional constipation in pediatric patients found that PEG 3350 is an effective and well-tolerated treatment choice, especially as an adjunct to education and behavioral training 5.
- Osmotic laxatives, such as PEG 3350, remain the most effective and safe therapy for both long and short term treatment of pediatric functional constipation 6.