A microbiota gastrointestinal humana normal é um ecossistema complexo constituído por microrganismos anaeróbios que desempenham papel fundamental na manutenção da saúde e de funções fisiológicas do hospedeiro. O presente estudo objetivou caracterizar a microbiota intestinal de pacientes portadores de constipação funcional e de pacientes com espinha bífida e intestino neurogênico e compará-las com pacientes saudáveis. Estudo transversal inclui 25 crianças com constipação funcional, 25 pacientes saudáveis e 14 pacientes com intestino neurogênico e espinha bífida. A metodologia molecular foi utilizada para determinação do perfil da microbiota intestinal. O DNA total das amostras de fezes foi extraído com o kit QIAamp DNA Stool®-QIAGEN e realizado sequenciamento do gene 16S rRNA (MiSeq (Illumina). As sequências obtidas foram processados no QUIIME. A análise dos dados obtidos foi realizada por meio de estatística descritiva. A diversidade e riqueza da microbiota intestinal foi avaliada pelos índices Shannon, Simpson e Chao e a contribuição de outras variáveis (sexo, tempo de amamentação exclusiva, uso de medicação nos pacientes constipados, tipo de parto e presença de sintomas no momento da coleta da amostra de fezes) foi obtida por análises multivariada. Firmicutes foi o filo mais predominante seguido do filo Bacteroidetes nos três grupos de estudo. Bifidobacterium foi mais abundante nos constipados funcionais do que nos saudáveis. O filo Tenericutes foi mais abundante em pacientes que nasceram por parto cesárea se comparados com parto vaginal independente do grupo de estudo. Participantes sintomáticos no momento da coleta, apresentaram maior abundância do gênero Ruminoclostridium em relação aos indivíduos assintomático, independente do grupo de estudo. No grupo dos pacientes saudáveis, os participantes sintomáticos no momento da coleta possuíam nível maior do gênero Phascolarctobacterium. Quanto ao sexo, tempo de amamentação exclusiva e medicações utilizadas para tratamento da doença, não foram encontradas nenhuma diferença na microbiota entre os grupos. Concluímos, portanto, que pacientes com constipação intestinal funcional apresentaram maior abundância de Bifidobacterium, em relação ao grupo controle, tal achado não foi observado no grupo de intestino neurogênico / The human gastrointestinal microbiota is a complex ecosystem consisting of anaerobic microorganisms that play a key role in maintaining the health and physiological functions of the host. The present study aimed to characterize the intestinal microbiota of patients with functional constipation and patients with spina bifida and neurogenic gut and to compare them with healthy patients. A cross-sectional study included 25 children with functional constipation, 25 healthy patients and 14 patients with neurogenic gut and spina bifida. The molecular methodology was used to determine the profile of the intestinal microbiota. Total DNA from the faeces samples was extracted with the QIAamp DNA Stool®-QIAGEN kit and sequenced the 16S rRNA gene (MiSeq (Illumina)). The sequences obtained were processed in QUIIME. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics. The diversity and richness of the intestinal microbiota was evaluated by the Shannon, Simpson and Chao indices and the contribution of other variables (sex, exclusive breastfeeding time, use of medication to treat constipation, type of delivery and presence of symptoms in the sampling time) was obtained by multivariate analysis. Firmicutes was the most predominant phylum followed by the phylum Bacteroidetes in the three study groups. Bifidobacterium was more abundant in patients with functional constipation than in healthy ones. The phylum Tenericutes was more abundant in patients who were born by cesarean section compared to vaginal delivery independent of the study group. Symptomatic participants at the time of collection had greater abundance of the genus Ruminoclostridium in relation to the asymptomatic individuals, independent of the study group. In the group of healthy patients, the symptomatic participants at the time of collection had a higher level of the genus Phascolarctobacterium. Regarding sex, exclusive breastfeeding time and medications used to treat the disease, no difference was found in the microbiota between the groups. We conclude, therefore, that patients with functional intestinal constipation had a greater abundance of Bifidobacterium, in relation to the control group, such finding was not observed in the group of neurogenic intestine.

A microbiota gastrointestinal humana normal é um ecossistema complexo constituído por microrganismos anaeróbios que desempenham papel fundamental na manutenção da saúde e de funções fisiológicas do hospedeiro. O presente estudo objetivou caracterizar a microbiota intestinal de pacientes portadores de constipação funcional e de pacientes com espinha bífida e intestino neurogênico e compará-las com pacientes saudáveis. Estudo transversal inclui 25 crianças com constipação funcional, 25 pacientes saudáveis e 14 pacientes com intestino neurogênico e espinha bífida. A metodologia molecular foi utilizada para determinação do perfil da microbiota intestinal. O DNA total das amostras de fezes foi extraído com o kit QIAamp DNA Stool®-QIAGEN e realizado sequenciamento do gene 16S rRNA (MiSeq (Illumina). As sequências obtidas foram processados no QUIIME. A análise dos dados obtidos foi realizada por meio de estatística descritiva. A diversidade e riqueza da microbiota intestinal foi avaliada pelos índices Shannon, Simpson e Chao e a contribuição de outras variáveis (sexo, tempo de amamentação exclusiva, uso de medicação nos pacientes constipados, tipo de parto e presença de sintomas no momento da coleta da amostra de fezes) foi obtida por análises multivariada. Firmicutes foi o filo mais predominante seguido do filo Bacteroidetes nos três grupos de estudo. Bifidobacterium foi mais abundante nos constipados funcionais do que nos saudáveis. O filo Tenericutes foi mais abundante em pacientes que nasceram por parto cesárea se comparados com parto vaginal independente do grupo de estudo. Participantes sintomáticos no momento da coleta, apresentaram maior abundância do gênero Ruminoclostridium em relação aos indivíduos assintomático, independente do grupo de estudo. No grupo dos pacientes saudáveis, os participantes sintomáticos no momento da coleta possuíam nível maior do gênero Phascolarctobacterium. Quanto ao sexo, tempo de amamentação exclusiva e medicações utilizadas para tratamento da doença, não foram encontradas nenhuma diferença na microbiota entre os grupos. Concluímos, portanto, que pacientes com constipação intestinal funcional apresentaram maior abundância de Bifidobacterium, em relação ao grupo controle, tal achado não foi observado no grupo de intestino neurogênico / The human gastrointestinal microbiota is a complex ecosystem consisting of anaerobic microorganisms that play a key role in maintaining the health and physiological functions of the host. The present study aimed to characterize the intestinal microbiota of patients with functional constipation and patients with spina bifida and neurogenic gut and to compare them with healthy patients. A cross-sectional study included 25 children with functional constipation, 25 healthy patients and 14 patients with neurogenic gut and spina bifida. The molecular methodology was used to determine the profile of the intestinal microbiota. Total DNA from the faeces samples was extracted with the QIAamp DNA Stool®-QIAGEN kit and sequenced the 16S rRNA gene (MiSeq (Illumina)). The sequences obtained were processed in QUIIME. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics. The diversity and richness of the intestinal microbiota was evaluated by the Shannon, Simpson and Chao indices and the contribution of other variables (sex, exclusive breastfeeding time, use of medication to treat constipation, type of delivery and presence of symptoms in the sampling time) was obtained by multivariate analysis. Firmicutes was the most predominant phylum followed by the phylum Bacteroidetes in the three study groups. Bifidobacterium was more abundant in patients with functional constipation than in healthy ones. The phylum Tenericutes was more abundant in patients who were born by cesarean section compared to vaginal delivery independent of the study group. Symptomatic participants at the time of collection had greater abundance of the genus Ruminoclostridium in relation to the asymptomatic individuals, independent of the study group. In the group of healthy patients, the symptomatic participants at the time of collection had a higher level of the genus Phascolarctobacterium. Regarding sex, exclusive breastfeeding time and medications used to treat the disease, no difference was found in the microbiota between the groups. We conclude, therefore, that patients with functional intestinal constipation had a greater abundance of Bifidobacterium, in relation to the control group, such finding was not observed in the group of neurogenic intestine.

Masters Research - Masters of Medical Science / The goal of this thesis is to report on research that explored the role of cow’s milk protein in children with chronic functional constipation. The research consisted of a systematic review of the literature, two clinical crossover trials, and a qualitative exploration of the lived experience of following a milk-free diet. Chapter 1 provides the introduction to both allergy and constipation, and the relationship between the two. Causes of constipation can be organic or functional (1). Organic causes of constipation occur in relation to a primary disease classification such as endocrine or metabolic disorders, neurologic disorders, anatomic malformation, collagen vascular disease and some drugs (for example, opiates). Chronic functional constipation is defined as having one bowel motion every three to 15 days (2) and is characterised by painful bowel movements or strain in defecation, hard stools with increased diameter or pellets, and occurs with or without soiling (3). This functional constipation is defined as chronic when it persists for greater than two weeks (4). Chapter 2 details the methods used in searching the literature for evidence for a role of cow’s milk consumption in chronic functional constipation in children from 1980 to 2006. This was published as a systematic review. The literature surrounding cow’s milk and constipation was found to be limited. None of the studies previously conducted were population-based or structured to provide evidence-based evaluation or treatment guidelines at either the general practitioner or paediatric specialist level. The strongest evidence found was a double blind randomised control trial conducted by Iacono and colleagues (3). The research study by Iacono and colleagues (3) provides evidence of an association between cow’s milk and constipation. The following research questions were developed from the systematic review: 1. Can the results of the Iacono and colleagues study of children with chronic functional constipation that respond to the replacement of cow’s milk protein with soy be replicated in the Australian setting? 2. Does cow’s milk β casein A1 cause constipation in children with chronic functional constipation? 3. What are the immunological and biochemical mechanisms underlying chronic functional constipation that respond to the removal of cow’s milk protein in children? 4. What factors affect the feasibility of parents administering a cow’s milk protein free diet to their children? The four questions were addressed by two different dietary crossover trials and a qualitative study. Chapter 3 describes the participants recruited and the methods used for the crossover trials investigating milk protein and paediatric chronic functional constipation including details of the primary outcome measure (number of bowel motions during a two-week trial period) and secondary outcome measures (biochemical, immunological and faecal analysis). Chapter 4 describes the results of Trial 1, which replicated the Iacono and colleagues study in the Australian setting, investigating the effects of soy and cow’s milk β-casein A1 in children with chronic functional constipation. One hundred percent of participants experienced resolution of their constipation during the soy milk condition compared with 68% experiencing resolution during the soy milk condition in the Iacono and colleagues study (n=65). Thirteen participants were recruited to Trial 1. Nine participants returned constipation diaries for the study period. The mean (SD) number of stools for each of the conditions was: baseline, 5.1 (1.4); cow’s milk 9.9 (4.4); washout 13.0 (5.2); and soy milk 15.1 (5.0). The differences between the three dietary conditions were statistically significant, p=0.03. The results confirmed the hypothesis that children in the Australian setting with chronic functional constipation unresponsive to the usual treatments, respond to the removal of cow’s milk protein from the diet. Chapter 5 describes the results of Trial 2, the double blind crossover trial comparing the effects of cow’s milk β-casein A1 and cow’s milk β-casein A2 in children with chronic functional constipation. Thirty-nine participants were recruited to Trial 2 and 26 participants returned constipation diaries for the trial period. Unlike the soy result, the cow’s milk β casein A2 did not give 100% resolution of constipation, in fact, the percentage resolution was almost identical to the cow’s milk β casein A1 result. The fact that some children responded during the cow’s milk casein A1 condition in both trials could be caused by a threshold effect, given it was likely that participants were consuming less cow’s milk protein during the trial (400 mL with elimination of all other sources of cow’s milk protein) than on their pre-trial diet. Resolution with both the cow’s milk β casein A1 and cow’s milk β casein A2 conditions suggests that these children are able to tolerate some cow’s milk protein before the symptom of constipation occurs. This could be a food intolerance type reaction or there is some other component in cow’s milk that is causing the problem in these children. Chapter 6 describes a qualitative study of the feasibility for mothers to administer a cow’s milk protein free diet to their children. The experiences of mothers following a cow’s milk protein free diet to assist in the management of chronic functional constipation in children were reported. A number of themes were identified that are useful to health professionals educating families. Mothers found the removal of cow’s milk protein from the diets of their children challenging but persevered due to the potential benefit to their children. Many mothers planned to continue post study with a modified approach to the cow’s milk protein free diet by allowing some cow’s milk protein in the diet to make the diet more acceptable to the family but not as much as the pre-trial diet. These experiences provide health professionals with valuable insights and ideas to assist their patients to manage a cow’s milk protein free diet. Chapter 7 discusses all aspects of the research including any limitations. The results of Trial 1 confirmed the hypothesis that children in the Australian settling with chronic functional constipation unresponsive to the usual treatments respond to the removal of cow’s milk protein from the diet. Therefore, cow’s milk protein is involved in the aetiology of constipation in these children. All the study participants demonstrated an absence or low level of normal gut flora, which may affect bowel regularity. Further research into species present and absent may provide further explanations to the lack of bowel regularity in these children. The immunological and biochemical mechanisms underlying chronic functional constipation that respond to the removal of cow’s milk protein requires further investigation. Although the number of statistically significant variables between the conditions was low, there was a high degree of abnormality. Further investigations are needed, including research into food intolerance reactions that affect the nerve endings in the bowel. The results in Trial 1 and Trial 2 are suggestive of an involvement of blood factors including platelets and monocytes. Other children may have a chronic Streptococcus A infection which may be contributing to constipation as well as to liver function abnormalities. Liver function abnormalities were observed for some participants in both trials, independent of milk condition. The extent to which the research questions have been answered is evaluated in Chapter 7, which includes the conclusions and recommendations of this research. In brief, the findings were: • Children with chronic functional constipation that is unresponsive to the traditional treatments should trial a cow’s milk protein free diet for at least two weeks to determine whether this may resolve the constipation. During this period, the numbers and form of bowel motions should be recorded and results compared to a one week record collected prior to commencing the cow’s milk protein free diet. • Due to the complicated nature of a cow’s milk protein free diet, especially the number of processed foods which contain hidden cow’s milk protein, consultation with a dietitian is essential for implementation of this diet. The dietitian should consider educating the patient’s family, both parents and siblings, to ensure the best outcome in terms of acceptance and compliance of the diet, and provide adequate resources. • If this dietary modification is successful for the child and alleviates constipation, consultation with a dietitian is recommended to determine the amount tolerated and nutritional adequacy of the diet. Soy milk is recommended as a substitute for cow’s milk and a probiotic needs to be prescribed to assist with the normalisation of gut flora. • Education of health professionals such as general practitioners, paediatricians, and paediatric continence nurses, regarding a cow’s milk protein free diet for chronic functional constipation, is essential to support the child and his/her family and integral to the success of this strategy. The findings of this research will be published in the scientific literature and as conference presentations. It is hoped that these findings will assist in the management of children with chronic functional constipation unresponsive to the traditional treatments.

Masters Research - Masters of Medical Science / The goal of this thesis is to report on research that explored the role of cow’s milk protein in children with chronic functional constipation. The research consisted of a systematic review of the literature, two clinical crossover trials, and a qualitative exploration of the lived experience of following a milk-free diet. Chapter 1 provides the introduction to both allergy and constipation, and the relationship between the two. Causes of constipation can be organic or functional (1). Organic causes of constipation occur in relation to a primary disease classification such as endocrine or metabolic disorders, neurologic disorders, anatomic malformation, collagen vascular disease and some drugs (for example, opiates). Chronic functional constipation is defined as having one bowel motion every three to 15 days (2) and is characterised by painful bowel movements or strain in defecation, hard stools with increased diameter or pellets, and occurs with or without soiling (3). This functional constipation is defined as chronic when it persists for greater than two weeks (4). Chapter 2 details the methods used in searching the literature for evidence for a role of cow’s milk consumption in chronic functional constipation in children from 1980 to 2006. This was published as a systematic review. The literature surrounding cow’s milk and constipation was found to be limited. None of the studies previously conducted were population-based or structured to provide evidence-based evaluation or treatment guidelines at either the general practitioner or paediatric specialist level. The strongest evidence found was a double blind randomised control trial conducted by Iacono and colleagues (3). The research study by Iacono and colleagues (3) provides evidence of an association between cow’s milk and constipation. The following research questions were developed from the systematic review: 1. Can the results of the Iacono and colleagues study of children with chronic functional constipation that respond to the replacement of cow’s milk protein with soy be replicated in the Australian setting? 2. Does cow’s milk β casein A1 cause constipation in children with chronic functional constipation? 3. What are the immunological and biochemical mechanisms underlying chronic functional constipation that respond to the removal of cow’s milk protein in children? 4. What factors affect the feasibility of parents administering a cow’s milk protein free diet to their children? The four questions were addressed by two different dietary crossover trials and a qualitative study. Chapter 3 describes the participants recruited and the methods used for the crossover trials investigating milk protein and paediatric chronic functional constipation including details of the primary outcome measure (number of bowel motions during a two-week trial period) and secondary outcome measures (biochemical, immunological and faecal analysis). Chapter 4 describes the results of Trial 1, which replicated the Iacono and colleagues study in the Australian setting, investigating the effects of soy and cow’s milk β-casein A1 in children with chronic functional constipation. One hundred percent of participants experienced resolution of their constipation during the soy milk condition compared with 68% experiencing resolution during the soy milk condition in the Iacono and colleagues study (n=65). Thirteen participants were recruited to Trial 1. Nine participants returned constipation diaries for the study period. The mean (SD) number of stools for each of the conditions was: baseline, 5.1 (1.4); cow’s milk 9.9 (4.4); washout 13.0 (5.2); and soy milk 15.1 (5.0). The differences between the three dietary conditions were statistically significant, p=0.03. The results confirmed the hypothesis that children in the Australian setting with chronic functional constipation unresponsive to the usual treatments, respond to the removal of cow’s milk protein from the diet. Chapter 5 describes the results of Trial 2, the double blind crossover trial comparing the effects of cow’s milk β-casein A1 and cow’s milk β-casein A2 in children with chronic functional constipation. Thirty-nine participants were recruited to Trial 2 and 26 participants returned constipation diaries for the trial period. Unlike the soy result, the cow’s milk β casein A2 did not give 100% resolution of constipation, in fact, the percentage resolution was almost identical to the cow’s milk β casein A1 result. The fact that some children responded during the cow’s milk casein A1 condition in both trials could be caused by a threshold effect, given it was likely that participants were consuming less cow’s milk protein during the trial (400 mL with elimination of all other sources of cow’s milk protein) than on their pre-trial diet. Resolution with both the cow’s milk β casein A1 and cow’s milk β casein A2 conditions suggests that these children are able to tolerate some cow’s milk protein before the symptom of constipation occurs. This could be a food intolerance type reaction or there is some other component in cow’s milk that is causing the problem in these children. Chapter 6 describes a qualitative study of the feasibility for mothers to administer a cow’s milk protein free diet to their children. The experiences of mothers following a cow’s milk protein free diet to assist in the management of chronic functional constipation in children were reported. A number of themes were identified that are useful to health professionals educating families. Mothers found the removal of cow’s milk protein from the diets of their children challenging but persevered due to the potential benefit to their children. Many mothers planned to continue post study with a modified approach to the cow’s milk protein free diet by allowing some cow’s milk protein in the diet to make the diet more acceptable to the family but not as much as the pre-trial diet. These experiences provide health professionals with valuable insights and ideas to assist their patients to manage a cow’s milk protein free diet. Chapter 7 discusses all aspects of the research including any limitations. The results of Trial 1 confirmed the hypothesis that children in the Australian settling with chronic functional constipation unresponsive to the usual treatments respond to the removal of cow’s milk protein from the diet. Therefore, cow’s milk protein is involved in the aetiology of constipation in these children. All the study participants demonstrated an absence or low level of normal gut flora, which may affect bowel regularity. Further research into species present and absent may provide further explanations to the lack of bowel regularity in these children. The immunological and biochemical mechanisms underlying chronic functional constipation that respond to the removal of cow’s milk protein requires further investigation. Although the number of statistically significant variables between the conditions was low, there was a high degree of abnormality. Further investigations are needed, including research into food intolerance reactions that affect the nerve endings in the bowel. The results in Trial 1 and Trial 2 are suggestive of an involvement of blood factors including platelets and monocytes. Other children may have a chronic Streptococcus A infection which may be contributing to constipation as well as to liver function abnormalities. Liver function abnormalities were observed for some participants in both trials, independent of milk condition. The extent to which the research questions have been answered is evaluated in Chapter 7, which includes the conclusions and recommendations of this research. In brief, the findings were: • Children with chronic functional constipation that is unresponsive to the traditional treatments should trial a cow’s milk protein free diet for at least two weeks to determine whether this may resolve the constipation. During this period, the numbers and form of bowel motions should be recorded and results compared to a one week record collected prior to commencing the cow’s milk protein free diet. • Due to the complicated nature of a cow’s milk protein free diet, especially the number of processed foods which contain hidden cow’s milk protein, consultation with a dietitian is essential for implementation of this diet. The dietitian should consider educating the patient’s family, both parents and siblings, to ensure the best outcome in terms of acceptance and compliance of the diet, and provide adequate resources. • If this dietary modification is successful for the child and alleviates constipation, consultation with a dietitian is recommended to determine the amount tolerated and nutritional adequacy of the diet. Soy milk is recommended as a substitute for cow’s milk and a probiotic needs to be prescribed to assist with the normalisation of gut flora. • Education of health professionals such as general practitioners, paediatricians, and paediatric continence nurses, regarding a cow’s milk protein free diet for chronic functional constipation, is essential to support the child and his/her family and integral to the success of this strategy. The findings of this research will be published in the scientific literature and as conference presentations. It is hoped that these findings will assist in the management of children with chronic functional constipation unresponsive to the traditional treatments.

Background: Many children suffer from functional constipation. In case of functional constipation there is no underlying disease. In Sweden, functional constipation is very common in children. Risk factors include lack of physical activity, irregular toilet habits and insufficient intake of fibers and fluids. Child health nurse has the knowledge and skills to advise and treat children in functional constipation and to support and reduce the suffering. Aim: The aim of the study was to illuminate child health nurses' experiences in the care of children with functional constipation. Method: Ten child health nurses were interviewed during a semi structured interview used openended questions. The interviews were recorded as digital files and transcribed verbatim and then analyzed according to a qualitative content analysis. Results: The child health nurses described experiences in the care of children with functional constipation. There were two categories from the analyzed data: "to base on the child`s needs" and "the child´s physical and psychosocial environment". Conclusion: This study shows the child health nurses experiences in the care of children with functional constipation. The care is based on the childs neeeds and the environment around the child in terms of physical and psychosocial environment is taken into account. The child health nurses should be aware of the reason why parents seek care, how to find the cause of functional constipation and how to relieve the child's suffering. She creates a health promotion meeting with children and parents seeking care for functional constipation.

Recent studies suggest that patients identified by the Rome III criteria for functional constipation (FC) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) are not distinct groups. Previous studies have shown that patients with IBS-C exhibit no or limited 5-HT response to meal ingestion, with plasma concentrations remaining similar to those under fasting conditions. The aim of this study was to determine whether patients with FC show a similar 5-HT response to meal ingestion as patients with IBS-C, and to investigate any relationship to gastrointestinal transit and visceral sensitivity. 23 female IBS-C patients, 11 female FC patients and 23 healthy female volunteers (HV) were recruited. Platelet depleted plasma 5-HT concentrations were measured under fasting (2hrs) and fed (4hrs) conditions. Within 2 weeks, oro-caecal (hydrogen breath test) and colonic (radio-opaque markers followed by X-ray) transit, along with rectal sensitivity (barostat) were determined. The main findings of the study are: 1. The FC patients had no 5-HT response to meal ingestion, as previously seen in patients with IBS-C, compared with healthy volunteers. 2. Patients with FC had abdominal and bowel movement associated symptoms as well as delayed colonic transit (whole gut transit), similar to that seen in IBS-C compared with healthy volunteers. 3. The mean pain threshold in patients with FC was similar to that seen in healthy volunteers, with more patients with hyposensitivity or insensitivity in this group compared with IBS-C and no patients with hypersensitivity. 4. Patients with FC had a shift towards higher fasting and postprandial PDP 5-HT levels, unlike patients with IBS-C, compared to healthy volunteers.This study show that based on symptoms, IBS-C and FC patients have more similarities than differences. However, although patients with FC had a similar 5-HT response to a test meal, they had different fasting 5-HT levels and some different physiological findings on assessment of visceral sensitivity with barostat.

Olsson, S. Föräldrars upplevelse av egenvård och egenvårdsråd vid förstoppning hos barn: En intervjustudie. Examensarbete i omvårdnad 15 högskolepoäng. Avancerad nivå – Magister. Malmö Universitet: Hälsa och samhälle, Institutionen för vårdvetenskap, 2018. Bakgrund: Trots att förstoppningsproblematik hos barn förekommer hos upp till 30 procent av befolkningen är många barn underbehandlade. Vården består i huvudsak av egenvård som ges av föräldrar till barn i hemmet. Vikten av att rätt egenvård initieras i rätt tid påverkar prognosen för om förstoppningsproblematiken utvecklas till att bli mer svårbehandlad eller inte. Föräldrars upplevelse av egenvård och egenvårdsråd torde kunna ge en fingervisning kring om den evidens som finns kommer ut till de barn som är drabbade och vilken roll specialistsjuksköterskan kan spela för att hjälpa föräldrar till barn med förstoppning.Syfte: Att belysa föräldrars upplevelse av egenvård och egenvårdsråd vid förstoppning hos barn.Metod: Kvalitativa semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med nio föräldrar till barn med förstoppningsproblematik. Intervjuernas innehåll analyserades enligt innehållsanalys med induktiv ansats.Resultat: Tre teman framkom i resultatet: innebörden av egenvård och egenvårdsråd, påverkan på det sociala livet och en känsla av utsatthet. Dessa teman reflekterade hur föräldrar till barn med förstoppningsproblematik kunde uppleva svårigheter att definiera hur, när och varför egenvård kunde behöva ges eller förändras till det egna barnet.Slutsats: Resultatet indikerar att relevant kunskap om egenvård vid förstoppning inte når ut till de familjer som behöver den i behandlingen av det förstoppade barnet. Den specialistutbildade sjuksköterskan torde kunna spela en avgörande roll för föräldrar till barn med förstoppningsproblematik i deras upplevelse och behandling av problematiken.Nyckelord: Egenvård, Funktionell förstoppning, Innehållsanalys, Omvårdnad, Pediatrisk vård / Olsson, S. Parents’ experiences of self-care and advice on self-care when handling childhood constipation: an interview study. Degree project, 15 Credit Points One-year Master, Malmö University: Health and society, Department of Care Science, 2018. Background: Despite a prevalence of up to 30 percent many children with childhood constipation are undertreated. Large part of the treatment for constipation consists of self-care administrated to the child by its parents. The importance of proper self-care initiated in time affects the prognosis of whether the constipation will become treatment resistant or not. Parents' perception of self-care and advice on self-care may be an indicator to whether the evidence-based care is offered to the affected children. It could also indicate what role the nurse specialized in pediatric care can play to help parents and their children with constipation. Aim: This study aimed to highlight parents’ perception of self-care and advice on self-care when having a child with constipation.Method: Qualitative semi structured interviews were conducted with 9 parents of constipated children. The interview material was analysed using content analysis.Results: Three themes were identified; meaning of self-care and self-care advice, impact on social life and a sense of vulnerability. These themes reflected how Parents of children with functional constipation experienced difficulties in defining how, when and why self-care might be needed for their child.Conclusion: The studies result implies that relevant knowledge about self-care does not reach the families who need it the most. A nurse specialised in paediatric care could therefore play a crucial role for parents of children with functional constipation in their experience and treatment of the problem.Keywords: Content analysis, Functional Constipation, Nursing, Paediatric care, Self-care.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2017-09-27T17:36:16Z No. of bitstreams: 1 flaviacristinadecarvalhomrad.pdf: 2344497 bytes, checksum: 0157deb2672226f5c62355c30c9919f4 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-09-28T14:10:36Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 flaviacristinadecarvalhomrad.pdf: 2344497 bytes, checksum: 0157deb2672226f5c62355c30c9919f4 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-28T14:10:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 flaviacristinadecarvalhomrad.pdf: 2344497 bytes, checksum: 0157deb2672226f5c62355c30c9919f4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-09-15 / Introdução: As crianças com síndrome de Down apresentam atraso do desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor, o que determina uma dificuldade na aquisição do treinamento esfincteriano. O presente estudo tem como objetivo estimar a idade de início e conclusão do treinamento esfincteriano nas crianças com síndrome de Down, comparando-as com crianças neurotípicas, assim como avaliar o método de treinamento esfincteriano usado e a associação com sintomas do trato urinário inferior e constipação intestinal funcional. Pacientes e métodos: Foi realizado um estudo caso-controle de 2010 a 2015. Todos os pais ou responsáveis responderam a um questionário elaborado para avaliar qual o processo de treinamento esfincteriano foi utilizado.Os sintomas do trato urinário inferior foram avaliados por meio da aplicação da versão validada e adaptada do Dysfunctional Voiding Symptom Score para a população brasileira. A presença de constipação intestinal funcional foi avaliada de acordo com os critérios de Roma III. Resultados: O estudo incluiu 93 crianças com síndrome de Down e 204 crianças neurotípicas (Grupo Controle). A idade média para iniciar o treinamento esfincteriano foi 22,75 meses nas crianças com síndrome de Down e 17,49 meses no grupo controle (p= 0,001). Em crianças com síndrome de Down, a idade média para concluir o treinamento esfincteriano foi de 56,25 meses e 27,06 meses no grupo controle (p= 0,001). As meninas com síndrome de Down completaram o treinamento esfincteriano mais precocemente (p= 0,02). O método de treinamento esfincteriano mais usado foi abordagem orientada para a criança. Não houve associação com a presença de sintomas do trato urinário inferior ou constipação intestinal funcional e a idade de início e de conclusão do treinamento esfincteriano em ambos os grupos. Conclusão: As crianças com síndrome de Down apresentaram um tempo prolongado de treinamento esfincteriano, sendo que as meninas concluíram o processo mais cedo. Estudos de coorte são essenciais para obter uma melhor avaliação sobre o processo de treinamento esfincteriano em crianças com síndrome de Down. / Introduction: Children with Down syndrome have delayed psychomotor development, which determines the level of difficulty in toilet training. The current study aims to estimate at what age they start and complete toilet training compared to children with typical psychomotor development, as well as to evaluate the toilet training method used and any association with lower urinary tract symptoms and functional constipation. Patients and methods: A case-control study was carried out from 2010 to 2015. All parents completed a questionnaire designed to assess the toilet training process. Lower urinary tract symptoms was assessed through the application of the Dysfunctional Voiding Symptom Score. The presence of functional constipation was evaluated according to the Rome III criteria. Results: The study included 93 children with Down Syndrome and 204 children with normal psychomotor development (Control Group). The average age children started toilet training was 22.75 months in those with Down Syndrome and 17.49 months in the Control Group (p= 0.001). In children with Down Syndrome, the average age when completing toilet training was 56.25 months and 27.06 months in the Control Group (p= 0.001). Among children with Down Syndrome, females completed toilet training earlier (p= 0.02). The toilet training method used most often was child-oriented approach in both groups. There was no association with the presence of lower urinary tract symptoms or functional constipation and the age of begin and complete toilet training in both groups. Conclusion: Children with Down Syndrome experiencedprolonged toilet training time. Females with Down Syndrome complete toilet training earlier. Cohort studies are essential to gain insight into thetoilet training process in children with Down Syndrome.