title: Management principles of organic causes of childhood constipation.
abstract: Constipation is extremely common in the pediatric population; however, it is a symptom and not a disease. Organic causes of constipation include Hirschprung's disease, anorectal malformation, and spina bifida. This article also discusses constipation and urinary tract pathology and dysfunction. The function of the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts are intertwined, and this concept will assist the practitioner in managing patients accordingly. Children and adolescents who experience bowel dysfunction require patience and sensitive support from their health care providers so that they can live productive and emotionally healthy lives.
authors.affiliation: Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Division of Urology, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 5037, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA. nan.tobias@cchmc.org
authors.forename: Nan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tobias
authors.forename: Debby
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: Marlene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lutkenhoff
authors.forename: Marilyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stoops
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ferguson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000002:abnormalities*; D002400:Cathartics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015984:Causality; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003248:Constipation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004733:Enema / Q000451:nursing; D005244:Fecal Impaction / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006627:Hirschsprung Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010371:Pediatric Nursing; D012007:Rectum / Q000002:abnormalities*; D012944:Social Support; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014039:Toilet Training; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics; D004043:Dietary Fiber