Clear Liquid Versus Low-fibre Diet in Bowel Cleansing for Colonoscopy in Children: A Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVES: In light of a paucity of data on the role of diet in colonoscopy preparation in paediatric population, the present study was designed to compare the effectiveness of clear liquid and low-fibre diets for breakfast and lunch on the day preceding colonoscopy in children.

METHODS: This prospective, randomised trial was conducted at the Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition in Warsaw, Poland. Eligible patients, referred for colonoscopies, were 6 to 18 years old. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: the first received a clear liquid diet and the second a low-fibre diet on the day before colonoscopy. In the afternoon, all participants were asked to drink polyethylene glycol with electrolytes at a dose of 66 mL/kg to a maximum of 4 L. The effectiveness of bowel cleansing was measured using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS). The preparation tolerance was assessed by parents and children using a visual analogue scale. Adverse effects were reported.

RESULTS: In total, 184 patients were enrolled. Of those, 96 received the clear liquid diet and 88-the low-fibre diet. The mean age of both groups was 15 years. There were no differences between the 2 study groups in age, weight, and sex, as well as in total BBPS score (BBPS ≥ 5 96.6% vs 95.1%, P = 0.5). The frequency of adverse effects was similar in both groups; nausea was the most common (P = 0.8).

CONCLUSIONS: Clear liquid and low-fibre diets administered to children the day before colonoscopy demonstrated similar bowel cleansing effectiveness.