Treatment of defaecation problems in children: the role of education, demystification and toilet training.
To evaluate the effect of education in children with chronic defaecation problems, a prospective 6-week intervention study was designed. A total of 54 children (5-14 years) underwent an education programme, with demystification of symptoms and advice about diet and toilet training. The present treatment was continued. After 6 weeks, children with persistent problems received biofeedback training with a follow up of 1 year. The intervention programme was successful in 8 children (15%). Biofeedback training was successful in 49% of the remaining group after 1 year.


CONCLUSIONS
A total of 15% of the children with chronic defaecation problems seen at a referral centre could surprisingly be helped by a simple education programme with, demystification and toilet training. Further studies evaluating treatment in children with defaecation problems should account for the primary effect of these measures.
van der Plas
R N
RN
Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Benninga
M A
MA
Taminiau
J A
JA
Büller
H A
HA
D000293:Adolescent; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003672:Defecation; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004688:Encopresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D014039:Toilet Training; D016896:Treatment Outcome