Effect and Safety of the Dietary Supplement Mannite in Pediatric Patients With Chronic Functional Constipation

Functional constipation is a widely prevalent pediatric issue, with a prevalence in some studies as high as 32.2%. Treatment consists of a combination of behavioral and pharmacological interventions (mainly, administration of polyethylene glycol laxatives or the use of enemas). Glucomannan (GNN) is a polysaccharide of 1,4-D-glucose and D-mannose found in the soluble fiber of some plants. While studies available in the literature to date agree that mannite is a dietary supplement with safe use, the usefulness of this compound remains controversial.