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Honey suppositories for functional constipation in preschool children: A randomized trial

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Created On: 27/03/2025

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Key take away

Honey suppositories present a safe and effective solution for pediatric functional constipation, offering substantial clinical benefits over standard care.

Background

This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of honey suppositories in tackling functional constipation in preschool kids, particularly those with symptoms aligned with Yin deficiency and intestinal dryness as per traditional Chinese medicine. The primary goal was to check whether honey suppositories could offer a safer and better alternative to conventional treatments.

Method

In this randomized controlled trial, preschool children (aged 3–6 years) diagnosed with functional constipation were randomly assigned to either a control group receiving standard care or a treatment group receiving honey suppositories in addition to standard care. For quantitatively evaluating the severity of constipation, the constipation scoring system (CSS) was used. The treatment's efficacy was determined according to the 'Guiding Principles for Clinical Research of New Chinese Medicines,' with statistical assessment conducted via SPSS 25.0.

Result

In comparison with the control group, the treatment group showed markedly reduced constipation scores and better bowel movement frequency (Table 1).

The treatment group's clinical outcome was notably superior, with a higher rate of full recovery and overall improvement. Furthermore, no vital baseline differences were observed between the groups, confirming the comparability of the study populations.

Conclusion

Honey suppositories were found to be more effective and safer than standard treatments, resulting in higher recovery rates and increased bowel movement frequency, without adverse reactions. This positions it as a viable, holistic alternative for pediatric constipation management.