Constipation is one of the most common complaints in childhood and may occur for different reasons. In a study conducted in children under the age of 18 in the United States, it was reported that there was a 4-fold increase in the diagnosis of constipation in the last 10 years, and this increase was more common in children under the age of 15. It is defined as less than 3 defecations or straining to defecate per week. Up to 10% of children with constipation have an underlying disease.
Organic causes of constipation
-
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland)
-
Celiac disease
-
Congenital anomalies in the region corresponding to the posterior aspect of the rectum and coccyx
-
Cow's milk protein allergy
-
Cystic fibrosis (A congenital disease that causes dysfunction by affecting the glands in the organs)
-
Some rheumatic diseases
- p>
-
Medications
In about 90% of children with constipation, the reason is functional. In functional constipation, the painful defecation experience of the child causes stool retention behavior. The child, who is afraid of painful defecation, prevents defecation by contracting the rectal area when stool comes. Stool retention becomes harder and harder to remove as the poop waits at hatch. During hard defecation, cracks occur in the anus area and bleeding may occur. The child does not want to poop at all because he is afraid of this situation, and this becomes a vicious circle. We see functional constipation most frequently during the transition to complementary foods, during the period of toilet training and at the age of starting school. In addition, insufficient dietary fiber, psychological traumas, stresses related to school and family, familial tendency to constipation, a history of preterm birth in the child, and insufficient daily fluid consumption are among the other risk factors. If your child has constipation, I recommend that you consult your doctor to investigate the underlying cause.
Read: 0
