North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Announces New Clinical Care Pathway for Pediatric Functional Constipation
Consensus-based guidance offers a practical roadmap for earlier recognition, evidence-based treatment, appropriate referral, and transition planning
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
AMBLER, PA – The North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN), in collaboration with the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), has published a new clinical care pathway to support the evaluation and management of pediatric functional constipation, one of the most common and impactful conditions seen in pediatric practice. The article, published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CGH), presents a multidisciplinary, consensus-driven pathway designed to help clinicians identify functional constipation earlier, streamline treatment decisions, and improve continuity of care.
Functional constipation affects quality of life, family functioning, and health care utilization, yet practice patterns can vary considerably across primary care, pediatric gastroenterology, and motility settings. In response, NASPGHAN and AGA convened a 13-member multidisciplinary expert panel, including pediatric gastroenterologists, pediatricians, a nurse practitioner, dietitian, psychologist, and adult gastroenterologist, to develop a practical, standardized clinical care pathway through literature review, structured workgroups, and an in-person consensus workshop. The panel achieved full consensus on the final recommendations.
“This clinical care pathway offers clinicians a comprehensive and practical evidenced-based approach to identify and evaluate children with functional constipation, prioritizing history and physical examination and extending into therapeutic interventions aimed to improve clinical outcomes and a structured plan for a successful transition to adult medicine,” said Leonel Rodriguez, MD, MS, lead author and pediatric gastroenterologist at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, CT.
Pediatric providers can often diagnose functional constipation clinically without extensive testing, while still remaining alert to alarm features and other possible underlying causes. The pathway emphasizes early, stepwise treatment and timely referral based on response and complexity, while recognizing the value of multidisciplinary support such as behavioral health, nutrition, and motility expertise for some patients.
This new guidance offers pediatric clinicians a practical framework to promote more consistent care, reduce unnecessary testing, and support earlier, more effective treatment for children with functional constipation.
“This collaboration between NASPGHAN and AGA reflects our shared commitment to delivering practical, evidence-informed guidance that meets clinicians where they are and improves care where it matters most—ensuring that children with functional constipation are recognized earlier, treated effectively, and supported across the continuum of care,” said Vicky Ng, MD, President of NASPGHAN and physician at SickKids in Toronto, Canada.
The article will appear in the October issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology and is now available online: https://www.cghjournal.org/article/S1542-3565(26)00159-X/abstract.
