Encopresis is a problem that children age four or older can develop due to chronic (long-term) constipation. With constipation, children have fewer bowel movements than normal, and the bowel movements they do have can be hard, dry, and difficult to pass. The child may avoid using the bathroom to avoid discomfort. Stool can become impacted (packed into the rectum and large intestine) and unable to move forward. The rectum and intestine become enlarged due to the hard, impacted stool. Eventually, the rectum and intestine have problems sensing the presence of stool, and the anal sphincter (the muscle at the end of the digestive tract that helps hold stool in) loses its strength. Liquid stool can start to leak around the hard, dry, impacted stool, soiling a child's clothing.
Any child with chronic constipation may develop encopresis. Some of the situations that lead to constipation include the following:
For unknown reasons, boys develop encopresis six times more than girls. Family stress can be linked to constipation, there does not seem to be any association between developing encopresis and how many children are in a family, a child's birth order (for example, first, middle, or last), a child's age, or the family's income.
Encopresis can cause both physical and emotional problems.
Impacted (backed up) stool in the intestine can cause abdominal pain, as well as loss of appetite. Some children may develop bladder infections.
Other health problems may cause chronic constipation, including diabetes, hypothyroidism, Hirschsprung's Disease, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Children with encopresis can certainly feel emotionally upset by the "accidents" they have when they soil their clothes. They usually do not have control of this leakage of stool. Their self-esteem and interactions with other people can be affected. Children are often ashamed or embarrassed. They may avoid going to school, playing with friends, or spending the night away from home. Parents may feel guilt, shame, anger, or distaste by the problem.
The following are the most common symptoms of encopresis. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
Symptoms of encopresis may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Please consult your child's doctor for a diagnosis.
A doctor or other health care provider will examine your child, and obtain a medical history. Imaging tests may also be done to evaluate the intestine and rule out other health problems. These tests may include:
Specific treatment for encopresis will be determined by your child's doctor based on the following:
Treatment for encopresis may include:
An enema may be prescribed by your child's doctor to help remove the impacted stool. An enema is a liquid that is placed in your child's rectum and helps loosen the hard, dry stool. (DO NOT give your child an enema without the approval of a doctor or other health care provider.)
Your child's doctor will often prescribe medications to help keep your child's bowel movements soft for several months. This will help prevent stool impaction from occurring again. Please do not give your child stool softeners without the approval of a doctor.
Often, making changes in your child's diet will help constipation. Consider the following suggestions:
FOODS | MODERATE FIBER | HIGH FIBER |
---|---|---|
BREAD | Whole wheat bread, granola bread, wheat bran muffins, Nutri-Gran® waffles, popcorn | |
CEREAL | Bran Flakes®, Raisin Bran®, Shredded Wheat®, Frosted Mini Wheats®, oatmeal, Muslix®, granola, oat bran | All-Bran®, Bran Buds®, Corn Bran®, Fiber One®, 100% Bran® |
VEGETABLES | Beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, corn, green beans, green peas, acorn and butternut squash, spinach, potato with skin, avocado | |
FRUITS | Apples with peel, dates, papayas, mangos, nectarines, oranges, pears, kiwis, strawberries, applesauce, raspberries, blackberries, raisins | Cooked prunes, dried figs |
MEAT SUBSTITUTES | Peanut butter , nuts | Baked beans, black-eyed peas, garbanzo beans, lima beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, chili with beans, trail mix |
Here are other dietary ideas:
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