Relation between ghrelin level and treatment response in functional constipation

Background/aims: Ghrelin stimulates gastrointestinal motility. Although there are some experimental and clinical studies supporting the role of ghrelin for gastrointestinal motility disorders, limited research for constipation has been published. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible role of ghrelin in the pathophysiology of functional constipation in childhood. Material and Methods: Forty-three newly diagnosed constipated children aged 1-6 years and 25 healthy age-matched controls were included. Serum ghrelin levels were analyzed initially in both groups. Treatment protocol consisted of dietary modification, lactulose, and administration of pediatric enema. Ghrelin levels of children with functional constipation were reanalyzed after two months of treatment. Results: Initial serum ghrelin levels of constipated patients were found to be lower than those of healthy children (p<0.001). Ghrelin levels increased during therapy. The differences between initial and second month serum ghrelin levels of constipated patients were found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our data supports the potential role of ghrelin in children with functional constipation. Observation of an increase in serum ghrelin levels with nonspecific treatment supports the hypothesis that low serum ghrelin levels might be a result rather than the cause of constipation.