Abstract
Constipation is a common challenge in pediatrics. Abdominal radiographs are frequently taken in the pediatric emergency department for diagnosis despite their inadequate reliability to detect the pathology or the degree of constipation. Misdiagnosis of constipation may cause multiple vague physician visits, deployment of emergency medical services, use of radiation, unnecessary laboratory tests, and even surgical procedures. The primary evidence-based suggestions are based on published guidelines that include management of constipation in children divided into three stages of therapy: (1) disimpaction, (2) maintenance therapy, and (3) behavior modification, and special care should be given to neonates and to children with pre-existing medical problems.
Highlights
BackgroundConstipation is considered a symptom, instead of disease [1]
This review aimed to find the best evidence management of constipation in children
Alarm symptoms or signs in children differ according to the age of onset of symptoms which include a history of delayed meconium passage, onset before one month old, family history of Hirschsprung disease, hypothyroidism or coeliac disease, bloody stool, fever, 2021 Alnaim et al Cureus 13(10): e19157
Summary
Constipation is considered a symptom, instead of disease [1]. It is identified as infrequent motions or the passing of hard stools. Constipation may be considered if less than three bowel motions per week. 20% of children have been reported to have at least one clinical feature of constipation. Bowel movement in children differs from adults. An infant’s daily bowel movements are about 3-4, a toddler’s daily bowel movements about 2-3, and at age 4, children’s daily bowel movements develop as an adult about 1-2 stools [4]. Less than three bowel movements per week, painful or retention stools, with or without encopresis are considered as constipation [5]
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