title: Evaluation of bowel function and fecal continence in 594 Finnish individuals aged 4 to 26 years.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Limited information exists on what constitutes normal bowel function in children and adolescents. This information is essential for determining outcomes of surgery for anorectal malformations and other colonic disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to define bowel function and fecal continence in a large sample of individuals aged 4 to 26 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  This investigation is a cross-sectional cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five hundred ninety-four individuals aged 4 to 26 years were randomly selected from the population register of Finland. Participants anonymously answered a previously validated 7-item postal questionnaire on bowel function.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary outcomes measured were bowel function score, fecal continence, stooling frequency, constipation, and social problems in relation to bowel function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recognition of the need to defecate was well established by age 4, but the ability to hold back defecation improved with age. Fecal accidents decreased from 11% in preschool children to 2% by 13 to 17 years (p = 0.02). Fecal staining of underwear was common (33%); the prevalence of soiling decreased with age. Stooling frequency was normal in 92%. Constipation was more common in females. Problems restricting social life in relation to bowel function were rare (0.5%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The fine-tuning of fecal continence continues to develop during childhood. Minor soiling is common in healthy individuals. Because of the changes with age, the evaluation of functional outcomes in patients who have undergone surgical treatment of anorectal malformations or other colonic disorders should include comparison with data from age-matched controls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, University of Helsinki, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Helsinki, Finland. kristiina.kyrklund@hus.fi
authors.forename: Kristiina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kyrklund
authors.forename: Antti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koivusalo
authors.forename: Risto J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Rintala
authors.forename: Mikko P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Pakarinen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003672:Defecation / Q000502:physiology; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012016:Reference Values; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires