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Bowel Incontinence

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If Your Child Has Bowel Incontinence

If your child has bowel incontinence, he or she needs to see a doctor to determine the cause and treatment. Bowel incontinence can occur in children because of a birth defect or disease, but in most cases it's because of chronic constipation.

Potty-trained children often get constipated simply because they refuse to go to the bathroom. The problem might stem from embarrassment over using a public toilet or unwillingness to stop playing and go to the bathroom. But if the child continues to hold in stool, the feces will accumulate and harden in the rectum. The child might have a stomachache and not eat much, despite being hungry. And it can be painful when he or she eventually does pass the stool, which can lead to fear of having another bowel movement.

Children who are constipated may soil their underpants. Soiling happens when liquid stool from farther up in the bowel seeps past the hard stool in the rectum and leaks out. Soiling is a sign of bowel incontinence. Try to remember that your child cannot control the liquid stool and may not even know it has passed.

The first step in treating the problem is passing the built-up stool. The doctor may prescribe one or more enemas or a drink that helps clean out the bowel, such as magnesium citrate, mineral oil, or polyethylene glycol.

The next step is preventing future constipation. You will play a big role in this part of your child's treatment. You may need to teach your child bowel habits, which means training your child to have regular bowel movements. Experts recommend that parents of children with poor bowel habits encourage them to sit on the toilet four times each day - after meals and at bedtime - for 5 minutes. Give rewards for bowel movements and do not punish children for incontinent episodes.

Some changes in eating habits may also be necessary. Your child should eat more high-fiber foods to soften stool, avoid dairy products if they cause constipation, and drink plenty of fluids every day, including water and juices such as prune, grape, or apricot, which help prevent constipation. If necessary, the doctor may prescribe laxatives.

It may take several months to break the pattern of withholding stool and constipation, and episodes may occur again in the future. The key is to pay close attention to your child's bowel habits. Some warning signs to watch for include:

• Pain with bowel movements
• Hard stool
• Constipation
• Refusal to go to the bathroom
• Soiled underwear
• Signs of holding back a bowel movement, such as squatting, crossing the legs, or rocking back and forth

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References:
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)
July 2007
digestive.niddk.nih.gov

The information discussed above is a general overview and does not include all the facts, or include everything there is to know about any medicine and/or products mentioned. Do not use any medicine and/or products without first talking to your doctor. Possible side effects of medications, other than those listed, may occur. Other brand names or generic forms of this medicine may also be available. If you have questions or concerns, or want more information, your doctor or pharmacist has the complete prescribing information about this medicine and possible drug interactions.