title: Normal defecation pattern, frequency of constipation and factors related to constipation in Turkish children 0-6 years old.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to figure out defecation features, constipation frequency, reasons and factors effecting on functional constipation in 0-6 years old children.
  
  
  METHODS
  This descriptive study had been carried out in Gazi University School of Medicine Pediatric polyclinics between February-June 2007 and 1018 children aged 0-6 years were included. The study comprises data about defecation pattern and prevalence of constipation. Children were divided into five groups according to the age. Their parents were asked to complete a structured questionnaire. Physical examinations, stool frequency according to the age, feeding patterns, age and gender distributions, major complaints and associated factors were all investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 1018 children there were 526 (51.7%) boys and 492 (48.3%) girls. One hundred ninety five (88.2%) infants were exclusively breastfed, 42 children (17.8%) were getting additional feeding in 0-6 months age group. Forty-eight of 1018 children (4.7%) were diagnosed as constipated. Twenty-eight (58.3%) were male and 20 (41.7%) were female. Parents of the constipated children defined the major complaints with defecation as discomfort (33%), pain (25%), seldom defecation (21%), hard stools (17%) and rectal bleeding (4%). Eighteen parents (37.5%) thought that constipation is related to dietary type. Refraining from school toilet was defined by seven parents (14.6%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Constipation may predict serious organic problems in newborns; however organic problems are not encountered in 95% of bigger children. These cases are described as functional constipation. Dietary factors and refraining from school toilets have to be considered during treatment.
authors.affiliation: Gazi University, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Ankara, Turkey. odulmd2003@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Pınar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kocaay
authors.forename: Odul
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Eğrıtaş
authors.forename: Buket
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dalgiç
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003248:Constipation / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003672:Defecation / Q000502:physiology*; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology