Child Constipation - What You Should Know

What is Constipation?

Constipation is a condition in which bowel movements occur infrequently and the stools tend to be hard and dry. Constipation will cause stools to be difficult and painful to pass. Prolonged constipation or difficulty in passing stools can be particularly difficult for growing young children.

Constipation is common in infants and children and is usually without long-term consequence; however, it can inhibit good quality of life, cause unhappiness and emotional problems.

The stress and concern caused by your young ones constipation can also cause immense pressure to family life and schooling. For tips on how to improve constipation and problems associated with digestive disorders visit our kiddies tips section.

What Are the Symptoms of Constipation in Children?

Symptoms of constipation in children include:

Infrequent bowel movements

Abdominal pain

Hard and dry stools that are difficult to pass

Signs of constipation in children include:

Unhappiness, frequent tears and tantrums

Red faced, feverish

Avoidance of visiting the toilet

Lack of appetite

Bloated stomach

What Causes Child Constipation?

Children often develop constipation as a result of avoidance of passing stools. They may refrain from toilet sessions because they are stressed about potty training, are embarrassed to use a public bathroom, do not want to interrupt fun or playtime or are fearful of having a painful bowel movement. Withholding stools plugs up the back passage causing stools to become trapped.

Fecal Impaction: Delaying a bowel movement will cause stools to become hard, dry and difficult to pass. This will sometimes result in a large mass of stool withheld in the rectum called a fecal impaction. Stool builds up behind the impaction and may unexpectedly leak, soiling a child’s clothing. Parents may often mistake this experience as a sign of diarrhea.

Other causes of constipation in children include:

Low fiber diet

Taking some medications, drugs and vitamins such as Iron

Diseases such as Hirschsprung disease and diabetes

Hereditary disorder

When Should a Child With Constipation See a Doctor?

A child should see a doctor if symptoms of constipation last for more than 2 weeks. A child should see a doctor sooner if the constipation is accompanied by one or more symptoms that may indicate a more serious health problem, including

Fever

Vomiting

Blood in their stools

Swollen or delicate abdomen

Weight loss and Lack of Appetite

Painful cracks or tears in the skin around the anus, called anal fissures

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Associated Pages

Hemorrhoids in Children

Children and Diarrhea

Children and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Resources and Links

http://medlineplus.gov/

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/