Archives of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition
Vol. 5 No. 3 (2026): APGHN Vol. 5 No. 3 August 2026

Nutritional Intake in Children with Functional Constipation in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia

Cindy Febrina (Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia)
Gendis Sekarnegari Putri (Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia)
Kitra Latuasan (Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia)
Adrian Himawan Singgih (Department of Pediatrics, Harapan Kita Mother and Child Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia)
Diana Sunardi (Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia, Division of Clinical Nutrition, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia)
Ariani Dewi Widodo (Department of Pediatrics, Harapan Kita Mother and Child Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Aug 2026

Abstract

Background: Functional constipation affects 0.7–29.6% of children worldwide. Dietary factors, including carbohydrate, protein, fat, fiber and fluid intake, are known factors associated with constipation. Constipation impacts children's growth and psychosocial functioning. This study aims to assess macronutrients and fluid intake in children with functional constipation. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted at the Gastrohepatology Outpatient Clinic, Harapan Kita Mother & Children Hospital, from November to December 2025. Age, sex, nutritional status, and intake of carbohydrate, protein, fat, fiber, and fluid were assessed. Results: Thirty-one subjects were included. The majority were female (58.1%), aged 1–3 years (45.2%), with normal nutritional status (61.3%). Most subjects had lower energy intake than recommended (90.3%), while 12.9% had inadequate protein intake. More than half had adequate fat intake (58.1%) while only 32.3% met the carbohydrate target. Using the “age + 5” rule, the majority had fiber intakes below recommended values. Additionally, 90.3% had fluid intake below recommended levels. Conclusion: Children with functional constipation were predominantly young and female, and more than half had normal nutritional status; however, most did not meet recommended energy, carbohydrate, fiber, and fluid intake levels. These findings indicate that dietary intakes were frequently below recommended levels in this sample and underscore the need to strengthen public education regarding appropriate nutrition to support the prevention and management of constipation.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

journal

Publisher

Subject

Medicine & Pharmacology

Description

Archives of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (APGHN) is the official journal issued by the Indonesian Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (Perhimpunan Gastroenterologi, Hepatologi, dan Nutrisi Anak Indonesia). APGHN is issued four times in a year and ...