What Are the Causes of Chronic Constipation in Children?

Constipation can affect the human digestive system without prior notice or previous affliction. Bowel functions vary from person to person, so the individual's own normal pattern should be taken into consideration when a physician diagnoses chronic constipation. Constipation in toddlers and children is common, with digestion returning to normal within a few days. However, when prolonged constipation persists, a doctor may determine a child has chronic constipation and put the patient on a treatment plan to get him back on a normal digestive schedule.

Description

• Chronic constipation is a condition in which bowel movements are less frequent than usual or comprised of hard, dry stools that are difficult or painful to pass.

Signs & Symptoms

• Regular, involuntary soiling, which is commonly perceived as runny diarrhea, may indicate chronic constipation in children. A swollen belly, loss of appetite and blood mixed with stool are other signs associated with the condition.

Causes

• Dehydration is a major factor in chronic constipation. Unbalanced diet or insufficient fiber is another cause. A diet high in fat and/or refined sugar may result in chronic constipation. Heredity can also play a factor. Lastly, some children are simply more prone than others to the condition.

Facts

• Children may ignore the urge to have a bowel movement when they want to do something they feel is more important, like play with friends or eat dinner. Also, avoidance of a bowel movement may occur during constipation because of the pain and discomfort associated with the condition. Either way, infrequent bowel movements will make the stool hard, large and more difficult to eventually pass, causing continued distress and pain.

Treatments

• Treatments for chronic constipation need to be performed by a medical physician. Disimpaction, or removal of stool from the lower intestine, or bowel, is a common treatment. Oral medication, suppositories or enemas may be prescribed by a doctor to empty the rectum if a bowel movement hasn't occurred for several days. After stool removal, information regarding prevention of future stool buildup will be discussed with the child and parents. Usually, prevention can be accomplished with diet changes, by establishing a regular schedule for having bowel movements, and possibly with medication.

Complications

• Anal fissures, or tears in the skin around the rectum, bleeding, hemorrhoids, rectal prolapse and impaction can be painful complications to sufferers of chronic constipation. Encopresis, or involuntary stool leakage, is another complication for those with this medical condition.