Learn what a typical Constipation in children prognosis is at Consumer Reports Health.

Constipation in children

What will happen to my child?

Most children get constipation from time to time. Usually it lasts just a few days. But for some children, the constipation goes on and on. And if it isn't treated properly, it can get worse.

It's hard to say what will happen if your child has ongoing constipation. Doctors call this chronic constipation. There haven't been many studies that have looked at this. But here's what we know so far.

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

Constipation can be uncomfortable and stressful for your child, but usually it isn't serious.
If your child has constipation, it doesn't mean that they will get bowel problems (such as bowel cancer) later in life.
Your child is more likely to get better if the constipation is treated early. One study found that treatment worked better in children younger than 2 years than in those older than 2.

Source:
Loening-Baucke V.
Constipation in early childhood: patient characteristics, treatment, and long term follow up.
Gut. 1993; 34: 1400-1404.

²
Your child is more likely to get long-lasting constipation if they are constipated while very young and if constipation is common in your family.

Source:
Staiano A, Andreotti MR, Greco L, et al.
Long term follow-up of children with chronic idiopathic constipation.
Digestive Diseases and Sciences. 1994; 39: 561-564.

³
Up to one-third of children continue to be constipated as they get older.

Source:
Van Ginkel R, Buller HA, Boeckxstaens GE, et al.
The effect of anorectal manometry on the outcome of treatment in severe childhood constipation: a randomized, controlled trial.
Pediatrics. 2001; 108: 9.

⁴

If your child's bowels become completely blocked with large, hard stools (called impacted feces), your doctor will probablyprescribe a type of laxative called polyethylene glycol (one brand name is MiraLax).

Your doctor might use other types of medication, or give you medication to place in your child's rectum (a suppository). This may clear their bowel.

As a last resort, your child may need hospital treatment, but this is rare nowadays. In the hospital, your child might need their bowel cleared with an

enema
An enema is liquid that is poured into your rectum to clean it out. Many people find it uncomfortable and embarrassing, but it helps your doctor to see the inside of your bowels.

enema (liquid put into your child's rectum through a tube). Your child will usually be given a sedative before this is done. If your child's constipation is very bad, their doctor may give them a

general anesthetic
You may have a type of medicine called a general anesthetic when you have surgery. It is given to make you unconscious so you don't feel pain when you have surgery.

general anesthetic and then remove the hard, packed stools.

Source:
Loening-Baucke V.
Constipation in early childhood: patient characteristics, treatment, and long term follow up.
Gut. 1993; 34: 1400-1404.

² But these days doctors don't often use these procedures.

Sources for the information on this page:

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

Loening-Baucke V.Constipation in early childhood: patient characteristics, treatment, and long term follow up.Gut. 1993; 34: 1400-1404.

Staiano A, Andreotti MR, Greco L, et al.Long term follow-up of children with chronic idiopathic constipation.Digestive Diseases and Sciences. 1994; 39: 561-564.

Van Ginkel R, Buller HA, Boeckxstaens GE, et al.The effect of anorectal manometry on the outcome of treatment in severe childhood constipation: a randomized, controlled trial.Pediatrics. 2001; 108: 9.

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.
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