Constipation in children: How to help children get rid of the fear of "going to the toilet"?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Vu Duy Chinh - Rehabilitation Doctor - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.
Constipation is a common symptom of all ages and in children, it is not too strange a problem. If parents do not have proper attention, constipation can persist, affecting the health and psychology of children. Join the doctors of Vinmec International General Hospital to learn about constipation in children to get more useful and accurate information on this issue.

1. Manifestations of constipation in children

Constipation in children has quite recognizable symptoms. In order not to be confused with other physiological manifestations, parents must pay special attention to 3 typical symptoms of constipation symptoms in children
Babies who are bottle-fed and have not had a bowel movement for 3 days; Breastfed babies don't have a bowel movement at all for about a week. Newborn babies often groan lightly, their face is red when they go out. The condition of the stool is dry, hard, and bigger than usual. Some children will show fear of their parents letting them defecate. Child's mood is crying, straining when defecating Definition of constipation according to ROM III criteria requires symptoms that the patient has at least 2 of the following symptoms for at least 12 weeks:
Number of bowel movements < 3 Times/week Have the following symptoms on at least 1 out of 4 bowel movements: Straining Dry, hard, lumpy stools Feeling of anal or rectal blockage Feeling like they won't go away Needing to strain during bowel movements

Many people believe that constipation in children will go away on its own within a few days to a week. However, if it is well understood, constipation in children is also divided into 2 different types: functional constipation (common) and symptomatic constipation.
Functional constipation: Often due to unreasonable diet, drinking and living habits Pathological constipation: May be manifestations of inflammatory diseases of the digestive tract, thyroid disease, nervous system disease , congenital colon disease, disease around the anus... Although this cause accounts for a small proportion of children with constipation, parents should also pay special attention. If the baby is not examined to find out the cause and treat the symptoms in time, the symptoms change in a bad direction affecting the whole body, the baby may lose weight, malnourishment, and even have complications. dangerous... This is something that no parent wants their child to experience.

2. Causes of symptoms of constipation in children

Many people subjectively believe that the symptoms of constipation in children are caused by children eating too much food or drinking less water. However, the causes of constipation in children may be more than many parents think.
Children are not suitable for formula milk (milk powder, instant milk box) The child is not fully breastfed. Because breast milk contains the hormone motilin, which helps support the baby's bowel movements, a lack of this hormone will make it more difficult for the baby to pass stools. Children are having problems with lack of water and fiber in their daily nutrition. Fiber helps retain water in the large intestine and makes food easier to digest. Children who are often stressed or sedentary, especially after eating Children with constipation due to drug abuse: Children often have many symptoms that require treatment. Treatment with drugs such as rickets, malnutrition, anemia, respiratory inflammation... The use of different amounts of drugs, large amounts used for a long time also cause constipation in children Children experience some symptoms symptoms requiring surgical treatment such as intestinal obstruction, congenital megacolon symptoms; Hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone) or Botulism poisoning (This is a condition in which children are allergic to honey from birth) If the right cause of constipation symptoms in children is identified, we can easily have a treatment plan. as well as adjust the appropriate diet or exercise for children. Or thanks to that, parents can give suggestions so that doctors can easily advise on how to treat children more effectively.

3. How to treat constipation in children?

Referring to the treatment of constipation in children, you need to remember the following three extremely important factors.
Firstly, a reasonable diet The diet needs a balance of ingredients, especially attention should be paid to supplements. adequate dietary fiber, cooking oil... Reduce foods and soft drinks; foods with fat to help the digestive system work better Limit tolerating residues of white rice, starch and bananas; replace with whole grain rice, cereals, oats... Replace with vitamins for easy absorption because smoothies contain essential vitamins, water and add fiber quickly for children Ensure for children Children drink plenty and full of water every day. Second, give your child medicine to soften stools and enhance bowel movements: Use supportive medicine if you have improved your diet but your child's constipation symptoms still do not show signs of improvement. Medicines that support stool softening are often preferred by doctors because they help soften the stool structure, making it easier to adjust to the child's condition. Note that the use of the drug should be through examination and advice from a doctor. Parents need to take the child to the hospital if the child's constipation persists. The third is the adjustment of children's behavior and psychology. This is also the step that is least concerned by parents. When children have habits such as not sitting in the correct posture when defecating or lazy to go to the toilet every day, parents need to remind and encourage the child to change. Instruct your baby to sit on the toilet so that his knees are higher than his hips, it is best to let him squat. Some children will feel embarrassed when experiencing symptoms of constipation. Therefore, parents should care and explain to the child not to be afraid or stressed Besides, you need to train your child to have a habit of going to the toilet once a day, be it after breakfast or dinner.

If constipation in children is prolonged without good examination and treatment, it can cause the child to dilate the colon, reduce rectal sensation, cause loss of defecation reflex, aggravate constipation, leading to bowel disorders. and fecal incontinence. At that time, the usual constipation treatment drugs, adjusting the diet, drinking, and living did not help improve constipation. Children need in-depth examination and evaluation (measurement of rectal pressure, assessment of defecation reflex...) and combination of drug therapy combined with functional rehabilitation (anal electric stimulation, interference, reflex exercise) biorevitalization...) can help children improve their constipation.
To properly identify the cause of symptoms and properly treat them, parents should take their children to medical facilities for accurate examination and advice. You also need to make adjustments to both diet and activities so that your child can quickly improve his constipation. Parents' attention, care and understanding will contribute to helping the symptoms of constipation in children no longer be a fear of both children and parents.
Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the leading hospitals in the country for examination, diagnosis and treatment of digestive diseases, especially in infants and young children. With modern equipment, sterile space, minimizing the impact as well as the risk of disease spread. Along with that is the dedication from the doctors with professional experience with pediatric patients, making the examination no longer a concern of the parents.
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