Course of life in young adults with a history of childhood constipation

Background & Aims In a substantial subgroup of children, functional constipation is a chronic disorder which may influence children’s psychosocial development. This study aimed to evaluate autonomy, psycho-sexual and social development and socio-demographic outcomes in young adults with a history of childhood constipation with or without fecal incontinence. Methods At a Dutch tertiary centre, a cross-sectional study was performed in a long-term follow-up cohort of children with functional constipation. A total of 181 patients from this cohort, aged between 18 and 30 years, and 361 young adults from the general Dutch population filled out the Course of Life questionnaire. Results Compared to controls, course of life was delayed in adults with a history of childhood constipation. They achieved fewer milestones with respect to autonomy and social development. Delayed course of life was especially found in a subgroup of these adults who experienced fecal incontinence up to a maximum of 18 years, but not in adults who never experienced fecal incontinence or not after the age of 12. Educational level was lower among adults with a history of childhood constipation than among controls, and unemployment rate was higher. Conclusions Autonomy and social development of young adults grown up with functional constipation was delayed, especially in those with long duration of constipationassociated fecal incontinence up to adolescent age. Clinicians should encourage parents in stimulating their child in these areas. The impact of lower socioeconomic status in adults with a history of childhood constipation on course of life needs to be further evaluated.