Comparison of Magnesium Values in Functional Constipation and Control Patients

Purpose: The objective of this study was to compare serum magnesium levels in patients with functional constipation against a control group. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with functional constipation who presented to the pediatric gastroenterology outpatient clinic between 2021 and 2025. The diagnosis of functional constipation was based on the ROMA IV criteria. Results: A total of 757 patients' data were analyzed. The functional constipation group comprised 479 patients, while the control group included 278 patients. No significant difference was observed between the mean ages of patients in the functional constipation group (9.4±4.3 years) and control group (9.1±4.0 years) (P=0.525). The mean serum magnesium level for patients with functional constipation was 2.0±0.1 mg/dL, which was comparable to the mean level in the control group (2.0±0.1 mg/dL) (P=0.631). However, mean serum calcium levels were significantly higher in the functional constipation group (9.2±0.3 vs. 9.4±0.4; P=0.001).Among the patients with functional constipation, 266 (55.5%) had not received treatment prior to this study, whereas 217 (44.5%) had received treatment. There were no significant differences in the values of hemoglobin, platelet count, calcium, magnesium, sodium, and chloride between treated and untreated patients. Conclusion: It has been determined that magnesium and other electrolyte levels in patients with functional constipation are not different from those in the normal population. Prospective studies are needed to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the commonly seen functional constipation.