Constipation in Children

This information is about constipation in children. You’ll learn what constipation is, how to recognize it, and how you can help your child.

Constipation refers to bowel movements that are infrequent, dry or hard to pass. It is a rather common problem in the first year of life among children who are otherwise quite healthy.

Very often a child will strain, grunt, and perhaps cry during the passage of the stool. This behavior may be quite normal in many babies and children who are perfectly normal. Thebowel movement appears firm and often bulky. In true constipation the stools are hard pellets.

When the stool is large or very hard, small tears may occasionally occur in the child’s rectal opening. Traces of red blood may be seen, mixed or streaked on the outside of the stool. Though these signs appear alarming, they do not indicate any permanent damage to the child’s intestine or rectum.

The primary treatment for constipation is to adjust the child’s diet. For babies under six months old, try adding extra water to the diet, or if your baby refuses plain water, add a non-citrus juice such as apple juice to the water. Or you can add one teaspoon of sugar to four ounces of water. Do not give your child honey or corn syrup (like Kayro syrup) during the life. They may cause botulism; a type of food poisoning.

Tags: Constipation, Rectum, Botulism, Encopresis, Rectocele, Gastroenterology