children s health issues
Constipation in Children
Key Points
Usually, constipation is caused by behavioral or dietary issues (called functional constipation). Children should be evaluated by a doctor if the interval between BMs has been 2 or 3 days more than usual, if their stools are hard or large, if stools cause pain or bleeding, or if children have other symptoms. If a newborn does not have a BM within 24 to 48 hours after birth, a thorough evaluation should be done to rule out the presence of Hirschsprung disease or another serious disorder. Addition of fiber to the diet or behavioral modification can help when dietary or behavioral issues are the cause. 