Constipation is when a child has hard stool that is difficult to pass or has fewer bowel movements than normal. It is a common problem in children and most often improves with time. But it can get worse if it is not treated.
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What are the signs and symptoms of constipation?
Symptoms of constipation may include:
- Having stools that are hard or painful to pass
- Not passing stool as frequent for more than a few days in a row
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Stooling accidents such as wet brown spots on your child’s underwear
- Bleeding from the anus
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal distention or bloating
- Decreased appetite or food intake
What causes constipation?
There are many different causes of constipation. They can include:
- Anatomical issues, pelvic floor muscles not working appropriately, changes in pelvic floor sensations, behavioral, and psychosocial factors
- Stool not traveling through your child quickly enough, which can be due to their colon not pushing enough or not at all
- Taking certain medicines that can cause constipation
- Dietary issues, such as not eating enough fiber or drinking enough fluids
How is constipation treated?
Treatment options for constipation may depend on your child’s age and how severe the constipation is. Doctors at Connecticut Children’s can determine the right plan if your child requires treatment for constipation.
- Dietary and behavior changes are usually the first steps to treat constipation. This may include eating more fiber, drinking more fluids, and creating a toilet routine.
- Your child’s doctor may suggest laxatives, enemas or stool softeners to help relieve your child’s symptoms
- In very rare cases, some children may need surgery to clear the bowels of feces.