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5. Constipation and toileting issues in children
Author(s) -
CattoSmith Anthony G
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2005.tb06677.x
Subject(s) - constipation , toileting , medicine , defecation , functional constipation , distension , pediatrics , behaviour modification , physical therapy , psychology , activities of daily living , psychotherapist
Constipation is common in children, with prevalences ranging from 0.3% up to 28%. In most children, constipation is functional (ie, without objective evidence of a pathological condition). Painful defecation has been proposed as the primary precipitant of functional faecal retention in early childhood. Faecal soiling is often secondary to constipation, and may occur during spontaneous relaxation of the sphincters precipitated by rectal distension. Management in general practice combines behavioural modification techniques with prolonged courses of laxatives. Treatment is usually successful, but may take up to 6–12 months. Significant numbers of children with initially good responses to therapy for constipation relapse in the long term. Long‐term relapse is more frequent in children under 4 years at onset of symptoms and in whom there is a history of faecal soiling associated with constipation.