Rectal prolapse most often occurs in elderly people and children ages 6-years-old and younger. A rectal prolapse involves the rectum tissues descending to protrude through the anus. If your child has a rectal prolapse, there are several different treatment options that you can discuss with a physician. Don't attempt any home remedies for rectal prolapse before first consulting a doctor.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
If your child has a rectal prolapse, you may see the tissue protruding out from his anus, particularly after a bowel movement, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The tissue will look reddish and may bleed. Other symptoms of a rectal prolapse include stools, blood or mucus leaking uncontrollably from your child's anus, urgent bowel movements, a feeling of incomplete bowel emptying, and itching, pain or bleeding from the anus, says the University of Michigan Health System.
Your child's doctor can diagnose rectal prolapse by performing a medical history review, physical exam and certain tests that may include X-rays of the anus, a colonoscopy or an anorectal manometry, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Risk Factors
A rectal prolapse occurs when the muscles and ligaments supporting the rectum become weakened, explains the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Your child is at risk for a rectal prolapse if she is malnourished, has an infection, strains while having bowel movements or has had a previous surgical procedure on the anus. Rectal prolapse may also be associated with pinworm or whipworm parasitic infections, injuries or a malabsorption disorder such as celiac disease, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. If your child doesn't have any of these risk factors or any physical deformities involving her gastrointestinal tract, she may have cystic fibrosis, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Rectal prolapse can occur as a result of cystic fibrosis, so your child's doctor may need to test for this condition.
Treatments
Sometimes, rectal prolapses in children resolves without any particular treatment, says the University of Michigan Health System. Depending on the cause and severity of your child's rectal prolapse, his physician may recommend that you treat the problem at home by manually pushing the tissue back into the anus using a damp, warm cloth, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. Usually your child's doctor will treat any underlying condition to correct the rectal prolapse. The physician may also prescribe certain medications to relieve the pain caused by a rectal prolapse. These medications often include bulk laxatives or stool softeners such as psyllium, methylcellulose and sodium socusate, states the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Complications
A severe rectal prolapse may require surgery, warns the University of Michigan Health System. Surgery is usually necessary only in cases involving a mucosal or complete rectal prolapse. The most common surgical procedures performed to correct a severe rectal prolapse are a perineal proctectomy and a laparascopic rectopexy, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. A perineal proctectomy corrects a rectal prolapse by removing the tissue that's protruding out of the anus, while a laparoscopic rectopexy stitches the rectum in the correct position.
Prevention/Solution
If your child is at risk for a rectal prolapse, you can take certain preventive measures. Provide your child with a diet that's rich in fiber and encourage your child to avoid straining while having a bowel movement, recommends the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Also, encourage your child to exercise and have bowel movements on a regular schedule each day. If your child has an underlying medical condition that puts her at risk for a rectal prolapse, ensure that the condition is treated properly, advises the University of Maryland Medical Center.
