Pediatric constipation

What is pediatric constipation?

When a child is constipated, a stool stays in their colon for too long. When this happens, the colon absorbs the fluid from the stool, which hardens the stool and makes it difficult to pass.

Children with constipation often experience:

• Bowel movements with dry, hard or small stools

• Less than two bowel movements in a week

What are the causes of pediatric constipation?

Constipation can occur due to a variety of reasons, including:

• Not enough fiber in the child’s diet

• Side effects from the child’s medication

How is pediatric constipation treated?

• Diet

• Rectal suction biopsy