Constipation in children

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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

Constipation in children is more likely for kids who:

  • Are sedentary
  • Don't eat enough fiber
  • Don't drink enough fluids
  • Take certain medications, including some antacids and antidepressants
  • Have attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
  • Have a medical condition affecting the anus or rectum
In addition, constipation is slightly more common in boys than in girls.
Complications Causes

  • See Also

    • Hand Scheduled
    Section Focus
    Related Links
    Related Guides
    Children
    Parent
  • Constipation
References
  1. Ferry GD. Constipation in children: Etiology and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 19, 2009.
  2. Ferry GD. Prevention and treatment of acute constipation in infants and children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 19, 2009.
  3. Ferry GD. Treatment of chronic functional constipation and fecal incontinence in infants and children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 19, 2009.
  4. Evaluation and treatment of constipation in infants and children: Recommendations of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 2006;43:e1.
  5. Constipation in children. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/constipationchild/index.htm. Accessed Feb. 20, 2009.
  6. Parenting corner Q&A: Constipation. The American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.aap.org/publiced/BR_Constipation.htm. Accessed Feb. 20, 2009.
  7. Parenting corner Q&A: Soiling (encopresis). http://www.aap.org/publiced/BK5_Soiling.htm. Accessed Feb. 20, 2009.
  8. Wald A. Constipation and defecation problems. American College of Gastroenterology. http://www.acg.gi.org/patients/gihealth/pdf/constipation.pdf. Accessed Feb. 24, 2009.
  9. Kay M, et al. Common gastrointestinal problems in pediatric patients. American College of Gastroenterology. http://www.acg.gi.org/patients/gihealth/pdf/pediatric.pdf. Accessed Feb. 24, 2009.
  10. Culbert TP, et al. Integrative approaches to childhood constipation and encopresis. The Pediatrics Clinics of North America. 2007;54:927.
  11. Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 10, 2009.
  12. Grothe RM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 18, 2009.

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May 2, 2009

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