Efficacy and Safety of Plecanatide in Children 6 to <18 Years With Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Constipation (IBS-C)

This study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of plecanatide in pediatric patients aged 6 to \<18 years with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). IBS-C is a condition that causes abdominal pain and infrequent, hard bowel movements. The study includes two age cohorts: Group A: 6 to 11 years Group B: 12 to \<18 years Participants are randomly assigned to receive one of four plecanatide doses (0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 2.0 mg, or 3.0 mg) or placebo. All treatments were taken orally once daily for 4 weeks following a 28-day screening/baseline period. After treatment, participants were followed for 2 weeks. The primary objective is to determine whether plecanatide increases the number of spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs) compared to placebo. Secondary objectives include: Time to first bowel movement after starting treatment Changes in stool consistency Changes in abdominal pain and discomfort Overall safety and tolerability of plecanatide Safety assessments include monitoring adverse events, laboratory tests, and treatment compliance. Participants recorded daily bowel habits and symptoms in an electronic diary and attended scheduled clinic visits for evaluations.