title: Constipation in children.
abstract: Constipation is a common problem throughout the world. It occurs in about 10-20% of adults in Western Countries and 0.3% to 28% of children worldwide. Most childhood constipation results from intentional withholding of stool following a painful experience with defecation. Thus, an extensive evaluation is often not necessary in a child presenting with constipation. Treatment should include education, evacuation of the rectum with oral or rectal laxatives if an impaction is present, laxatives to ensure soft stools and behavior modification.
authors.affiliation: Indiana University School of Medicine, James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-5225, USA. jcroffie@iupui.edu
authors.forename: Joseph M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Croffie
mesh_terms: D001521:Behavior Therapy; D002400:Cathartics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003248:Constipation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003672:Defecation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics