Constipation
What is Paediatric Constipation?
As a parent, it can be challenging to see your child struggle with pediatric constipation. However, it is a common problem that affects many children. This guide aims to provide parents with useful information about pediatric constipation, its causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
Toilet training is an important milestone in a child's life to lead a carefree life. But sometimes, due to internal health issues, unhealthy diet habits or poor toilet training, kids face constipation problems accompanied by stomach pain and other health issues. In this essence, Constipation is a common pediatric problem that mainly involves infrequent bowel movements.
Constipated children often find it painful while passing their stool out, and the texture of the stool is hard and dry. Though occasional Constipation is common, some kids suffer from chronic Constipation, and it can interfere with their daily activities. Chronically constipated children can also strain too much to defecate. This condition is common in children aged 2-4 years, and it can affect up to 30% of children.
Symptoms in Children/ Babies
A child may try to avoid using the toilet if they think it will hurt. However, while the child tries to hold the stool, parents may notice him or her crossing the legs, squeezing the buttocks, twisting the body, or making expressions. In extreme cases, Constipation can lead to symptoms of piles in children, such as itching and soreness around the rectal opening and blood on the surface of hard stool.
Causes
There are mainly two types of Constipation: organic and functional.
Organic Constipation usually happens as a result of a change in diet or eating habits or from an insufficient intake of fibre. Other reasons for organic Constipation are gastrointestinal infection, celiac disease, thyroid problems or other health disorders.
Functional Constipation results from poor toilet training when kids hold back bowel movements as an act of self-control (irrespective of reasons). Sometimes, children often develop functional Constipation after diarrhoea or the stomach flu. This condition is referred to as post-infectious functional Constipation.
Another rare reason for paediatric Constipation is poor posture. Kids often slouch at the waist and do not sit up straight, while some cross their knees or hang their legs in the air, or they squeeze their bottom cheeks together. Such improper postures affect bowel movement and block the stool from passing.
Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid problems, irritable bowel syndrome, or Hirschsprung's disease, can cause constipation.
Treatment
Treatment options for pediatric constipation include:
Dietary changes: Increasing your child's fiber intake, such as fruits and vegetables, can help regulate bowel movements. Reducing dairy intake and increasing water intake can also help.
Medication: Over-the-counter stool softeners or laxatives can help soften stools and make bowel movements easier.
Toilet Habits: Encourage your child to use the toilet regularly, and provide a comfortable, child-friendly environment.
Medical Treatment: If your child's constipation persists, your doctor may recommend further testing or treatment.
Preventing Paediatric Constipation
You can help prevent pediatric constipation by:
Encouraging healthy eating habits: A diet high in fiber and water can help regulate bowel movements.
Encouraging physical activity: Exercise can help regulate bowel movements.
Encouraging regular toilet habits: Encourage your child to use the toilet regularly, especially after meals.
Reducing stress: Reducing your child's stress levels can help prevent constipation.
When Must You Visit A Doctor?
Although Constipation is not a serious health concern, chronic Constipation can lead to future health complications or can be a sign of an underlying condition. Therefore, it is important to visit a child specialist for a Constipation treatment plan that generally includes prescribing pediatric laxative medications, proper diet plans and lifestyle changes for faster recovery.
Some critical conditions include fever, lack of appetite, bloody stool, hard-to-pass gas, abdominal swelling, weight loss and rectal prolapse. If parents notice any of the signs and symptoms mentioned above and if Constipation lasts longer than two weeks, they should not delay in making a doctor's appointment. In critical cases, certain tests are required, such as blood & stool test, anus muscle examination, colon inspection etc.
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