ABSTRACT QUESTION: I have come across many pediatric patients with functional constipation. Is polyethylene glycol 3350 without electrolytes a safe and effective long-term treatment option for these patients? ANSWER: Functional constipation is a common and often difficult problem for parents and families to deal with. Polyethylene glycol 3350 is a safe and effective long-term laxative in pediatric populations, but there are limited studies for its use in children younger than 2 years of age.
