What to do when your child is constipated?

This is an automatically translated article.

Constipation often occurs when children have a change in diet and activities, so when children have signs of constipation, parents should seek treatment to reduce discomfort in children.
The content is professionally consulted by Dr. Pham Lan Huong - Children's Center - Vinmec Times City General Hospital

1. Learn about constipation in children

Constipation is infrequent bowel movements (less than three times a week) or painful, difficult bowel movements. According to the criteria of NICE(voice: EN AI CI I) 2010, the diagnosis of constipation is determined if more than 2 of the following criteria are present:
● Passing stools less than 3 times/week
● Hard and large stools, goat feces , or very large, dry stools
● The stools are too large for the anus, causing cracks or bleeding in the anus
● Irritability, stress, many children feel scared to have a bowel movement
● Straining, behavior hold stools
● Previous episodes of constipation
History or current anal fissures, history of pain during bowel movements and bleeding from hard stools
Causes of constipation in children are divided into 2 categories: physical causes (causes due to pathological conditions such as hyperthyroidism, peritoneal neuromuscular disease, irritable bowel, diabetes...). and functional causes, in which constipation is caused by causes. The functional nucleus accounts for 90-95%.
The main functional causes of constipation in children include:
Children withholding bowel movements: this is the most common cause. The longer the child holds the stool, the longer the stool stays in the intestines and the larger it becomes, the more difficult it is for the child to pass the stool, resulting in chronic constipation. Newborns are often constipated if they are introduced to solid foods suddenly, especially in babies who are eating solid foods for the first time. Constipation can also occur when a baby is weaned from breast milk. This is because weaning sometimes causes babies to lose their water supply. Different protein composition in formula can be the cause of constipation in infants. Infants who are formula fed in large amounts and are constipated often have hard, green stools. Constipation is also common in children who are dehydrated and dehydrated, when the body will absorb liquid from anywhere in the body from food, drink, even stool, which inadvertently causes stool to become cloudy. solid and dry. In addition, a diet lacking in fiber also causes constipation. Fiber from vegetables and fruits contributes to increasing stool volume, making stools softer. Lack of micronutrients, especially essential micronutrients such as zinc, selenium, magnesium, group of beneficial bacteria for the gut... Among micronutrients, recently, zinc was found to be a micronutrient. acts as a catalyst, helping to regulate the activity of more than 300 enzymes present in the human body. Therefore, organs such as skin, mucous membranes, immune system, digestive system, central nervous system... are very sensitive to zinc deficiency. According to experts, when there is enough zinc, the body will produce digestive enzymes, ensuring a favorable nutrient exchange. In addition, zinc is also necessary for the renewal of intestinal tissues, bile production for a healthier digestive system, so zinc deficiency can also affect the intestinal tract, causing congestion. Constipation in children.

2. Consequences of prolonged constipation in children

In addition to the negative effects that can be clearly seen such as children's fear of going to the toilet, anorexia, loss of appetite, and frequent abdominal pain, if the child is left constipated for a long time, it is easy to have many potential risks. to your baby's physical health. Specifically, prolonged constipation can:
Increase the risk of gastrointestinal diseases Hemorrhagic colon Intestinal obstruction Increase the risk of complications in children with chronic medical conditions Malnutrition in children To prevent and To treat constipation in children, doctors recommend a number of methods:
Increase fiber in the children's menu such as vegetables, whole grains... Drink enough water Maintain movement to help the intestines Work better, avoid letting children sit for a long time Maintain a reasonable diet, ensure adequate quality. Special attention should be paid to the supplementation of beneficial micronutrients for the digestive system such as zinc, calcium, magnesium... through natural food sources and easily absorbed supplements, ensuring supply provide the necessary amount of micronutrients for the child's digestive system to work smoothly. In case the child has the following conditions: Constipation persists for more than a week, changing the diet has no effect. Constipation after birth, abdominal distension. Constipation affects digestion: poor appetite, weight loss, malnutrition with vomiting.... Children should be taken to the nearest medical facility for direct examination and consultation.
In order to limit the child's constipation as well as the use of antibiotics, parents should pay attention to the nutrition that improves the child's resistance. At the same time, supplementing with supporting foods containing lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, B vitamins, etc., helps support the immune system, strengthens the resistance so that children have less energy. sick and less likely to have digestive problems.

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