Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * Children aged 6 to 14 years, male or female. * Legal guardian provides written informed consent. * No use of antibiotics, probiotics, lactulose, antacids, or gastrointestinal prokinetic agents within 4 weeks prior to enrollment. * For the constipation group: Clinical diagnosis of functional constipation according to Rome criteria, defined as meeting at least two of the following criteria for two consecutive months: (a) fewer than two bowel movements per week; (b) at least one episode of fecal incontinence per week; (c) history of massive fecal retention or posturing related to fecal retention; (d) history of painful or difficult defecation; (e) presence of a large fecal mass in the rectum; (f) passage of stools large enough to obstruct the toilet. Additionally, no enema or acute enteritis within 2 weeks prior to enrollment. * For the healthy control group: No chronic digestive diseases or acute illnesses; no enema or acute enteritis within 2 weeks prior to enrollment. Exclusion Criteria: * Use of antibiotics, probiotics, lactulose, antacids, or gastrointestinal prokinetic agents within 4 weeks prior to enrollment (if not already excluded at screening). * Clinically significant abnormalities in liver, kidney, neurological, respiratory, or coagulation function as determined by the investigator. * Unstable vital signs. * Presence of other underlying systemic diseases (e.g., metabolic, endocrine, or organic gastrointestinal disorders). * Any other condition that, in the investigator's opinion, makes the participant unsuitable for enrollment.