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Constipation in Children
Constipation means that bowel movements are hard and dry, difficult or
painful to pass, and less frequent than usual. It is a common problem for
children, but it is usually temporary and no cause for parents to be
concerned.
When a child does not eat enough fiber, drink enough liquids, or get
enough exercise, constipation is more likely to occur. It also happens
when children ignore the urge to have a bowel movement, which they
often do out of either embarrassment to use a public bathroom, fear or
lack of confidence in the absence of a parent, or unwillingness to take a
break from play. Sometimes constipation is caused by medicines or a
disease.
Symptoms of constipation include:
- No bowel movement for several days or daily bowel movements
that are hard and dry.
- Cramping abdominal pain.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Weight loss.
- Liquid or solid, clay-like stool in the child's underwear--a sign
that stool is backed up in the rectum.
Constipation can make a bowel movement painful, so the child may try
to prevent having one. Clenching buttocks, rocking up and down on
toes, and turning red in the face are signs of trying to hold in a bowel
movement.
Treatment depends on the child's age and the severity of the problem.
Often eating more fiber (fruits, vegetables, whole-grain cereal), drinking
more liquids, and getting more exercise will solve the problem.
Sometimes a child may need an enema to remove the stool or a laxative
to soften it or prevent a future episode. However, laxatives can be
dangerous to children and should be given only with a doctor's
approval.
Although constipation is usually harmless, it can be a sign or cause of a
more serious problem. A child should see a doctor if:
- Episodes of constipation last longer than 3 weeks.
- The child is unable to participate in normal activities.
- Small, painful tears appear in the skin around the anus.
- A small amount of the intestinal lining is pushed out of the anus
(hemorrhoids).
- Normal pushing is not enough to expel stool.
- Liquid or soft stool leaks out of the anus.
Additional Information on Constipation in Children
The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse collects
resource information on digestive diseases for the Combined Health
Information Database (CHID). CHID is a database produced by
health-related agencies of the Federal Government. This database
provides titles, abstracts, and availability information for health
information and health education resources.
To provide you with the most up-to-date resources, information
specialists at the clearinghouse created an automatic search of CHID.
To obtain this information you may view the results of the automatic
search on Constipation in Children.
Or, if you wish to perform your own search of the database, you may
access the CHID Online web site and search CHID yourself.
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)
is a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and
Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The NIDDK is part of the National
Institutes of Health under the U.S. Public Health Service. Established in
1980, the clearinghouse provides information about digestive diseases
to people with digestive disorders and to their families, health care
professionals, and the public. NDDIC answers inquiries; develops,
reviews, and distributes publications; and works closely with
professional and patient organizations and Government agencies to
coordinate resources about digestive diseases.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Reprinted with permission.
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