Get Constipation in children information from Consumer Reports Health.

Constipation in children

How common is constipation in children?

Many children get constipation at some time. For most, it lasts just a few days and isn't a problem. But when it lasts more than a few weeks, it can be more serious.

We're not sure how many children get this ongoing type of constipation (called chronic constipation) because parents don't always take their child to the doctor. But here's what we know from the research.

Constipation is an ongoing problem for about 3 in 100 children in preschool and 2 in 100 children in school.

Source:
Felt B, Wise CG, Olson A, et al.
Guideline for the management of pediatric idiopathic constipation and soiling.
Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. 1999; 153: 380-385.

¹
One study found that about 14 in 100 parents who had a 2-year-old said their child had ongoing constipation.

Source:
Issenman RM, Hewson S, Pirhonen D, et al.
Are chronic digestive complaints the result of abnormal dietary patterns? Diet and digestive complaints in children at 22 and 40 months of age.
American Journal of Diseases of Children. 1987; 141: 679-682.

²
Ongoing constipation is most common in children between ages 2 and 4, when they're potty training.

Source:
Nelson R, Wagget J, Lennard-Jones JE.
Constipation and megacolon in children and adults.
In: Misiewicz JJ, Pounder FR, Venables CW (editors). Diseases of the Gut and Pancreas. 2nd edition. Blackwell Science.

³
In about 25 in 100 cases, constipation starts when the child is still a baby.

Source:
Nelson R, Wagget J, Lennard-Jones JE.
Constipation and megacolon in children and adults.
In: Misiewicz JJ, Pounder FR, Venables CW (editors). Diseases of the Gut and Pancreas. 2nd edition. Blackwell Science.

³
In toddlers, constipation is just as common in boys as in girls.

Source:
Felt B, Wise CG, Olson A, et al.
Guideline for the management of pediatric idiopathic constipation and soiling.
Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. 1999; 153: 380-385.

¹
But once children start school, more boys than girls get it.

Source:
Felt B, Wise CG, Olson A, et al.
Guideline for the management of pediatric idiopathic constipation and soiling.
Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. 1999; 153: 380-385.

¹
About 25 in 100 visits to doctors who specialize in children's bowel problems (called pediatric gastroenterologists) are for constipation.

Source:
Baker SS, Liptak GS, Colletti RB, et al.
Constipation in infants and children: evaluation and treatment: a medical position statement of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition.
Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 1999; 29: 612-626.

⁴

Some children with constipation also have times when liquid stool leaks out into their underwear but they don't realize it. This is called encopresis. Again, we don't know exactly how many children have this problem.

Some studies say that it happens to about 3 in 100 children who are 4 years old and 2 in 100 children who are 5 years old.

Source:
Loening-Baucke V.
Chronic constipation in children.
Gastroenterology. 1993; 105: 1557-1564.

⁵
It's most common in children ages 2 to 4.

Source:
Loening-Baucke V.
Chronic constipation in children.
Gastroenterology. 1993; 105: 1557-1564.

⁵
It happens in boys more often than in girls.

Source:
Loening-Baucke V.
Chronic constipation in children.
Gastroenterology. 1993; 105: 1557-1564.

⁵

Sources for the information on this page:

Felt B, Wise CG, Olson A, et al.Guideline for the management of pediatric idiopathic constipation and soiling.Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. 1999; 153: 380-385.

Issenman RM, Hewson S, Pirhonen D, et al.Are chronic digestive complaints the result of abnormal dietary patterns? Diet and digestive complaints in children at 22 and 40 months of age.American Journal of Diseases of Children. 1987; 141: 679-682.

Nelson R, Wagget J, Lennard-Jones JE.Constipation and megacolon in children and adults.In: Misiewicz JJ, Pounder FR, Venables CW (editors). Diseases of the Gut and Pancreas. 2nd edition. Blackwell Science.

Baker SS, Liptak GS, Colletti RB, et al.Constipation in infants and children: evaluation and treatment: a medical position statement of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition.Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 1999; 29: 612-626.

Loening-Baucke V.Chronic constipation in children.Gastroenterology. 1993; 105: 1557-1564.

This information was last updated on May 12, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

The information on ConsumerReportsHealth.org should not be viewed as a substitute for a consultation with a medical or health professional. The information is meant to enhance communication with your doctor, not replace it. Consumers Union can not be liable for any loss, injury, or other damages related to your use of this information.

Your use of this information is subject to our User Agreement available at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.