Colonic Irrigation in Children

Colonic irrigation typically refers to a procedure also called colon cleansing, where fluids are pumped through the rectum into the colon in order to "cleanse" the bowels. Many practitioners claim colonic irrigation can benefit long-term health by removing harmful parasites and toxins, but it's generally believed there is little scientific evidence to support these claims, and many doctors are skeptical about the benefits of these procedures—whether performed in children or adults.

Colonic Irrigation

• During colonic irrigation, warm water is routed into the colon via a tube inserted through the rectum. It's different from an enema performed to treat constipation or prior to certain medical procedures in that it usually involves more fluid; moreover, its advocates claim that it removes toxins and parasites they believe may be responsible for certain chronic conditions. Sometimes herbs or laxatives are added to the warm water used to irrigate the colon, and probiotic medications are often administered afterwards.

Risks

• The main risks associated with colonic irrigation in children are rectal perforations or communicable diseases. If the instrument used to perform the irrigation is not sterilized, diseases can be transferred from one patient to the next; if the tube is inserted improperly, it can tear or perforate the tissue of the bowel or rectum. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance—an imbalance in the level of dissolved salts in the blood—are other possible hazards.

History

• The belief that accumulated toxins in the intestines could cause disease dates back many centuries. Enemas—or clysters, as they were once called—have been in use going back even to the time of the ancient Egyptians. During the 20th century, the procedure's popularity peaked in the 1920s and 1930s, although subsequent advances in science and medicine cast doubt on its usefulness.

Criticism

• Most doctors view the purported benefits ascribed to colonic irrigation with skepticism. The American Cancer Society notes that "available scientific evidence does not support claims that colon therapy is effective in treating cancer or any other disease." A 1997 editorial in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology referred to the theory underlying colonic irrigation as a "triumph of ignorance over science." There have been no large-scale studies performed to test the effects of colonic irrigation in preventing or treating disease.

CI in children

• If you're considering colonic irrigation for your child, it's a good idea to talk with your doctor or pediatrician first. Discuss your expectations of the results and the risks. Some colonic irrigation practitioners claim their procedure can help remove parasites, but if your child has symptoms like chronic diarrhea that might indicate parasite infestation, there are medications your doctor can prescribe that may be more effective.