Soy milk decreased chronic constipation in young children
Question Does soy milk increase stool frequency in young children who have chronic constipation and are being given cows' milk?
Design
Randomised, controlled, double blind, crossover trial.
Setting
A paediatric gastroenterology clinic at a university hospital in Italy.
Patients
65 children <6 years of age (mean age 34.6 mo, 55% girls) who were referred for chronic constipation (chronic fecal retention of 1 bowel movement every 3–15 d often associated with abdominal symptoms). Exclusion criteria were anatomical causes of constipation, constipation caused by another disorder, previous anal surgery, and use of medications associated with constipation. All children were being fed cows' milk, dairy products, or commercial formulas derived from cows' milk. All had unsuccessful treatment with laxatives. Follow up was complete.
Intervention
Children who were <15 months old were given formula (based on cows' milk or soy milk) and older children were given whole cows' milk or soy milk. In the first stage, 33 children …
