[The effects of lactitol in the treatment of intestinal stasis in childhood].

Thirty-nine children (18 males, 21 females) suffering from intestinal stasis were treated with lactitol or a reference drug (lactulose in crystalline form), according to a balanced randomization, for 15 days. The first group of children included 19 subjects treated with lactitol, the second group included 20 subjects treated with lactulose. The dosages of lactitol and lactulose were, respectively, of 150-350 mg/kg and of 150-300 mg/kg daily per os with a single administration in the morning. During the trial, the children did not take any concomitant drug. For each patient the tested parameters were: number of intestinal evacuations, consistency of stool and adverse reactions (abdominal swelling, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, meteorism) daily; routine laboratory tests at the beginning and at the end of the trials. The results showed that the subjects treated with lactitol have manifested, besides a proved therapeutic efficacy, a better tolerability and compliance than the subjects treated with lactulose.