Constipation is fairly common in children. A child is considered constipated if his bowel movements are occurring less frequently than usual or the stools are hard, dry and difficult or painful to pass. Though constipation is rarely a sign of a serious condition, it can be uncomfortable for a child and interfere with her daily routine. With a few changes, constipation can often be prevented.
Symptoms
In addition to going several days without a bowel movement and having hard, dry stools, children who are constipated may also experience abdominal pain, poor appetite, stool leaking into the underwear, and fidgety and cranky behavior.
Causes
Constipation is often caused by a lack of fiber or fluids in a child's diet. In infants, constipation can sometimes occur when a baby is switched from breast milk to formula or when solid foods are first introduced.
In children, delaying bowel movements is also a common culprit for constipation. When a child ignores the urge to go, either because he is away from home and doesn't want to use an unfamiliar bathroom or he doesn't want to take a break from playing, the stool becomes harder and dryer, making it more difficult to pass.
Constipation can also be a side effect of certain medications or, in rare cases, a symptom of another medical condition.
Treatment
Constipation can often be treated with dietary changes. Limit starchy foods such as white bread and pasta, fatty and sugary foods, and dairy products such as milk and cheese. These foods are low in fiber and are constipating. Encourage your child to eat more whole grains, fruits and vegetables and to drink more water.
If your child is under the age of one, add two or three teaspoons of prune juice twice a day to water or formula. Older infants on solids can try strained apricots, pears or prunes.
If the constipation is severe, your child's doctor may prescribe medicine. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends checking with your pediatrician before giving your child a laxative or enema.
Prevention
You can prevent constipation by following many of the dietary recommendations for treatment: limiting foods low in fiber and increasing consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, whole wheat bread, bran cereals and muffins, oatmeal and beans. Regular exercise can also help stimulate bowel movements.
For children who often fight the urge to go, pay attention to what time of day the child often has a bowel movement and set up a routine where the child sits on the toilet uninterrupted every day around that same time.
When to Call the Doctor
According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, call the doctor if symptoms of constipation last for more than two weeks or are accompanied by fever, vomiting, blood in the stool, swollen abdomen, weight loss, painful cracks in the skin around the anus or intestine coming out of the anus.
