Increasing oral fluids in chronic constipation in children.

Increasing the amount and type of fluid intake in children with simple constipation remains a common intervention recommended by both the medical profession and lay consumers. Efforts to increase overall water intake and/or high osmolarity liquid intake have no research or physiological basis that would result in softer and/or more frequent stools. The purpose of this project was to identify whether an effect on stooling characteristics would be noted with a concerted effort to increase liquid intake.