Some prebiotics are useful for improving symptoms related to constipation, but clinical
trials including infants and older children are scarce. A double-blind, placebo-controlled,
crossover clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of galactooligosaccharides
(GOS) on functional constipation in children and adolescents. Twenty children aged 4 to 16
years of age, who spontaneously sought medical care at a primary healthcare unit, received
1.7g GOS or placebo (Maltodextrin) treatment for 30 days, followed by a 15-day washout period
and a 30-day use of an alternative product. A clinical score was calculated at baseline, at
the 15th (D15) and 30th (D30) day of each period, to assess bowel movement frequency,
straining/ pain during defecation and stool consistency. Oral anal transit time with
activated charcoal was determined at baseline and D30 of each period.