小儿便秘的中医干预现状与展望

Current Status and Prospects of Traditional Chinese Medicine Interventions for Pediatric Constipation

摘要: 小儿便秘是儿科常见的胃肠道疾病，以排便次数减少、排便困难及粪便干硬为主要表现。流行病学资料表明，全球小儿功能性便秘患病率为0.5%~32.2%，在我国儿童中的发病率达7%~10%，且呈逐年上升趋势。该疾病虽不直接危及生命，但长期便秘易引发肛裂、食欲减退等问题，甚至影响儿童的生长发育和心理健康，给家庭和社会带来沉重负担。目前，西医治疗小儿便秘多采用泻药、促动力药、微生态制剂等药物治疗，虽能短期缓解症状，但长期使用易产生依赖性，且副作用较多。相比之下，中医在改善小儿便秘方面展现出独特优势，治疗方法多样，安全性高，复发率低。本文围绕中医对小儿便秘的认识、干预方法、机制研究及存在的问题进行系统梳理，并对未来发展方向进行展望，以期为本病的治疗提供参考。

Abstract: Pediatric constipation is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder in pediatrics, characterized by reduced bowel movement frequency, difficult defecation, and dry, hard stools. Epidemiological data indicate that the global prevalence of functional constipation in children ranges from 0.5% to 32.2%, with an incidence rate of 7%~10% among Chinese children, showing a year-by-year increasing trend. Although not immediately life-threatening, prolonged constipation can lead to complications such as anal fissures, reduced appetite, and may even adversely affect children’s growth, development, and mental health, imposing a significant burden on families and society. Currently, Western medical treatments for pediatric constipation primarily involve laxatives, prokinetic agents, and probiotics. While these can provide short-term symptom relief, long-term use often leads to dependency and multiple side effects. In contrast, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers distinct advantages in managing pediatric constipation, with diverse therapeutic approaches, high safety profiles, and low recurrence rates. This article systematically reviews TCM perspectives on pediatric constipation, intervention methods, mechanistic research, and existing challenges, while also providing insights into future research directions, aiming to offer references for the treatment of this condition.