Characteristics of functional constipation and analysis of intestinal microbiota in children aged 0–4 in Zunyi region

Abstract Background Functional constipation (FC) significantly impacts children’s health. This study investigates the prevalence and microbiota characteristics of FC in children aged 0–4 years in Zunyi area. Methods From October to December 2023, 2039 children aged 0–4 years in Zunyi were selected u...

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Main Authors: Shungang Gong, Zhengbo Yu, Yuan Ding, Yue Wang, Xi Li, Shengli Gu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:BMC Pediatrics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-024-05383-w
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author Shungang Gong
Zhengbo Yu
Yuan Ding
Yue Wang
Xi Li
Shengli Gu
author_facet Shungang Gong
Zhengbo Yu
Yuan Ding
Yue Wang
Xi Li
Shengli Gu
author_sort Shungang Gong
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Functional constipation (FC) significantly impacts children’s health. This study investigates the prevalence and microbiota characteristics of FC in children aged 0–4 years in Zunyi area. Methods From October to December 2023, 2039 children aged 0–4 years in Zunyi were selected using stratified sampling and cross-sectional survey methods. A questionnaire based on Rome IV diagnostic criteria was used. Twenty-nine children with FC were randomly selected as the functional constipation group (FCG), and 26 healthy children, matched for age, sex, and area, were selected as the control group (CG). Results A total of 2051 questionnaires were collected, with 2039 valid responses. Among them, 151 children had FC, resulting in a prevalence rate of 7.4%. The prevalence rates in boys and girls were 6.6% and 8.5%, respectively, with no significant gender difference (P > 0.05). Alpha diversity analysis revealed higher richness and diversity of intestinal flora in the FCG compared to the CG. At the phylum level, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes were dominant in both groups. The FCG showed a higher relative abundance of Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria compared to the CG (P < 0.05). Conclusions The prevalence of FC in children aged 0–4 years in Zunyi is 7.4%. Disease characteristics vary with age and living environment but are unrelated to gender. The gut microbiota of children with FC shows significant alterations, with higher diversity and specific phyla abundance.
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spelling doaj-art-48ab86f5e61d4b78adf0061c6584889d2025-01-19T12:38:57ZengBMCBMC Pediatrics1471-24312025-01-0125111010.1186/s12887-024-05383-wCharacteristics of functional constipation and analysis of intestinal microbiota in children aged 0–4 in Zunyi regionShungang Gong0Zhengbo Yu1Yuan Ding2Yue Wang3Xi Li4Shengli Gu5Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, The First People’s Hospital of ZunyiDepartment of Pediatric Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, The First People’s Hospital of ZunyiDepartment of Pediatric Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, The First People’s Hospital of ZunyiDepartment of Pediatric Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, The First People’s Hospital of ZunyiDepartment of Pediatric Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, The First People’s Hospital of ZunyiDepartment of Pediatric Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, The First People’s Hospital of ZunyiAbstract Background Functional constipation (FC) significantly impacts children’s health. This study investigates the prevalence and microbiota characteristics of FC in children aged 0–4 years in Zunyi area. Methods From October to December 2023, 2039 children aged 0–4 years in Zunyi were selected using stratified sampling and cross-sectional survey methods. A questionnaire based on Rome IV diagnostic criteria was used. Twenty-nine children with FC were randomly selected as the functional constipation group (FCG), and 26 healthy children, matched for age, sex, and area, were selected as the control group (CG). Results A total of 2051 questionnaires were collected, with 2039 valid responses. Among them, 151 children had FC, resulting in a prevalence rate of 7.4%. The prevalence rates in boys and girls were 6.6% and 8.5%, respectively, with no significant gender difference (P > 0.05). Alpha diversity analysis revealed higher richness and diversity of intestinal flora in the FCG compared to the CG. At the phylum level, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes were dominant in both groups. The FCG showed a higher relative abundance of Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria compared to the CG (P < 0.05). Conclusions The prevalence of FC in children aged 0–4 years in Zunyi is 7.4%. Disease characteristics vary with age and living environment but are unrelated to gender. The gut microbiota of children with FC shows significant alterations, with higher diversity and specific phyla abundance.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-024-05383-wChildrenFunctional constipationGut microbiotaRome IV criteriaZunyi
spellingShingle Shungang Gong
Zhengbo Yu
Yuan Ding
Yue Wang
Xi Li
Shengli Gu
Characteristics of functional constipation and analysis of intestinal microbiota in children aged 0–4 in Zunyi region
BMC Pediatrics
Children
Functional constipation
Gut microbiota
Rome IV criteria
Zunyi
title Characteristics of functional constipation and analysis of intestinal microbiota in children aged 0–4 in Zunyi region
title_full Characteristics of functional constipation and analysis of intestinal microbiota in children aged 0–4 in Zunyi region
title_fullStr Characteristics of functional constipation and analysis of intestinal microbiota in children aged 0–4 in Zunyi region
title_full_unstemmed Characteristics of functional constipation and analysis of intestinal microbiota in children aged 0–4 in Zunyi region
title_short Characteristics of functional constipation and analysis of intestinal microbiota in children aged 0–4 in Zunyi region
title_sort characteristics of functional constipation and analysis of intestinal microbiota in children aged 0 4 in zunyi region
topic Children
Functional constipation
Gut microbiota
Rome IV criteria
Zunyi
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-024-05383-w
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