Irregular and infrequent or difficult evacuation of the bowels.
Symptoms of Constipation in Children
The following features are indicative of Constipation in Children:
less than three bowel movements a week
bowel movements that are hard, dry and difficult to pass
pain while having a bowel movement
abdominal pain
blood on the surface of hard stool
traces of liquid or stool in a child's underwear
It is possible that Constipation in Children shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.
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Common Causes of Constipation in Children
The following are the most common causes of Constipation in Children:
ignoring the urge to use the toilet
inadequate fluid intake
lack of physical activity
not drinking enough fluids
obstruction by colorectal cancer
changes in situation, such as travel, starting school, or stressful events
allergy to cow's milk or consuming too many dairy products
Risk Factors for Constipation in Children
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Constipation in Children:
not eating enough fiber
not drinking enough fluids
antidepressants
medical condition affecting the anus or rectum
family history of constipation
Prevention of Constipation in Children
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Constipation in Children. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
adequate fluid intake
create a toilet routine
high-fiber diet
regular physical activity
Occurrence of Constipation in Children
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Constipation in Children cases seen each year worldwide:
Very common > 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Constipation in Children most commonly occurs in the following age group:
Aged between 2-4 years
Common Gender
Constipation in Children can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Constipation in Children
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Constipation in Children:
Abdominal X-ray: To identify blockages in the child's abdomen
Rectal biopsy: To check rectum activity
Blood tests: To measure the thyroid hormone level
Doctor for Diagnosis of Constipation in Children
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Constipation in Children:
Gastroenterologist
Hepatologist
Complications of Constipation in Children if untreated
Yes, Constipation in Children causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Constipation in Children is left untreated:
painful breaks in the skin around the anus
rectal prolapse
stool withholding
bowel obstruction
Self-care for Constipation in Children
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Constipation in Children:
Increase fiber intake: Increases the weight of stool and speeds its passage through intestines
Adequate fluids: Help soften the child's stool
Adequate time for bowel movements: Encourage the child to sit on the toilet for five to 10 minutes within 30 minutes after each meal
Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Constipation in Children
The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Constipation in Children:
Acupuncture: May be helpful in treating constipation
Last updated date
This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Constipation in Children.
