Optimizing Colonoscopy Preparation in Autistic Children: A Comparative Study of Hypertonic Sugar Saline and Normal Saline Enemas.

Objective: This study evaluates the effectiveness of combining oral polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution with hypertonic sugar saline enema for colonoscopy preparation in autistic children.

Methods: Clinical data of 58 children with autism who underwent fecal bacteria transplantation and transendoscopic enteral tubing (TET) catheterization at the hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Participants were allocated into 2 groups: a control group (26 children) and an observation group (32 children), differentiated by their intestinal preparation protocols. The control group was administered oral polyethylene glycol combined with normal saline enema, whereas the observation group was given oral polyethylene glycol combined with hypertonic sugar saline enema. The Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) was used to score intestinal cleanliness. Differences in intestinal cleanliness and colonoscopy duration between the 2 groups were compared.

Results: The group treated with hypertonic sugar saline enema exhibited significantly higher BBPS scores (6.78 ± 0.83) and an intestinal passage rate of 96.86%, which were statistically significant compared with the control group ( < 0.05). In addition, the colonoscopy duration was notably shorter in the observation group (14.03 ± 4.86 minutes) compared with the control group ( < 0.05).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that an oral polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution combined with a hypertonic sugar saline enema is a more effective preparation method for colonoscopy in autistic children.