The bowel movements vary from one child to another. A few children have bowel movements 2 or 3 times a day, whereas few children may go once in 2 or 3 days. If your child has a bowel movement every 2 or 3 days without any pain or discomfort, it can be his normal bowel pattern and you do not need to worry about that.

If a child has hard and painful stools and less bowel movement than normal, it is considered as constipation. It is one of the common problems in children. It is a temporary problem and can be treated.

Common Signs of Constipation in Children

Your child would not be able to communicate his symptoms depending on the age of your child. So, you need to recognize the symptoms of constipation in your child. The common symptoms in your child include:

• Fewer bowel movements than usual
• Hard and dry stools
• No hunger
• Bloated abdomen, stomach aches or cramps
• Signs such as clenching teeth, holding buttocks together, reddish face etc to hold the stool
• Screaming or crying during bowel movements
• Pellet like bowel movements

It is normal if your child experience constipation once in a while. But, if your child’s constipation lasts for more than a week, it is chronic and you must visit a paediatrician.

Reasons for Constipation in Children

Constipation in children often occurs due to the following reasons:

Holding stool: When your child holds the stool for a longer time to delay or avoid the bowel movement, it leads to constipation. When the stool stays for a long time in the colon, it absorbs more water and makes the stool dry and hard. As the stool becomes dry, it causes pain for your child while pushing out.

Diet: If your child does not receive the required amount of fluids or fibre, it causes constipation. Change in diet such as moving from breast milk to solid foods could also cause constipation.

Illness: If your child doesn’t feel hungry due to any illness, that sudden diet change can cause constipation. Use of certain medications also causes constipation in children. In rare cases, constipation may be due to underlying problems such as hypothyroidism and cerebral palsy.

Diagnosis and Treatment for Constipation

Constipation in children can be treated at home by adopting changes in diet. Drinking more amount of water, fruits juices and consumption of high fibre food such as apples, pears and bananas can soften the stool and relieve constipation.

If constipation doesn’t get cured with home remedies, you need to visit a doctor. The doctor conducts a physical exam and asks about your child’s diet, symptoms and health history. If he suspects any underlying problems, he conducts medical tests such as abdominal x-ray, rectal biopsy, barium enema, colonoscopy etc.

The treatment would be based on the severity of the condition, child’s age, symptoms and general health.

Visit Sai Siva Hospital to Treat Your Child’s Constipation

If your child is suffering from constipation, visit Sai Siva Hospital. It is one of the best paediatric hospitals in Hyderabad. It provides 24/7 emergency services and handles different ailments in children. Book your appointment today and provide the best treatment to your child.