Signs and causes of constipation

The article was written by Doctor Le Tuyet Nga - Pediatric Center - Vinmec Times City International Hospital.

Constipation is a condition in which a child passes stools that are too little, solid and dry, or the interval between two bowel movements is too long. For children, the number of daily bowel movements varies by age.
+ For children under 1 year old: Usually has a bowel movement 2-3 times a day, but if the child only has 1 bowel movement a day but the stools are soft and normal in volume, it is still not called constipation.
+ On the contrary, in older children, they go to the toilet once a day, but sometimes they go 2-3 times a day, but the stools are solid and less, it is still called constipation.
Therefore, constipation is a condition in which a child passes stools that are less solid and dry.

Anorexia, eating less than usual Children have burning pain when going to the toilet: the stool becomes hard, causing the child's anus to tear causing pain and bleeding, more dangerous when the child is afraid of pain, they The more you try to hold back from going to the toilet, the more severe the constipation will become

Uncontrolled fecal incontinence: Once a child is constipated, it means that intestinal fluid will accumulate around the hard stool causing obstruction. In the case of a lot of fluid, it will cause symptoms of loose stools, causing children to have a lot of constipation, often hard stools. Besides, abdominal pain around the navel can also occur in children with constipation, even paleness. repeat many times

There are many causes of constipation in infants and children including the following:
+ Not enough water and fiber
Due to the baby drinking too much soft drink, drinking less filtered water and eating less fruit as well. like fresh vegetables.
+ Inactivity
Habit of being sedentary, just hanging around at home watching TV, playing video games, on the internet, ... makes bowel movements "inactive" for a long time, leading to constipation.

+ Using drugs
Pain relievers, fever reducers, cough suppressants, diarrhea treatments,... can cause side effects that make stools dry, hard to move, causing constipation.
+ Emotional disorders
Baby refrains from defecation because he is afraid of dirt, fear of rot, or afraid to defecate because he has to ask permission from the teacher,... in the long run, it leads to constipation or maybe he has emotional disorders due to pregnancy Stressful family atmosphere, divorce of parents, new baby, etc. are also causes of constipation.
+ Some diseases
Diseases related to the colon, nervous system, malnutrition, anemia, ... cause bowel tone to be reduced, making the baby constipated.
+ Anal fissure
Anal fissure makes defecation painful and difficult.Children will refrain from defecation, increasing constipation.
In order to limit the child's constipation as well as the use of antibiotics, parents should pay attention to the nutrition that improves the child's resistance. At the same time, supplementing with supporting foods containing lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, B vitamins, etc., helps support the immune system, strengthens resistance so that children are less sick and less likely to have digestive problems.
Parents can learn more:
Why do you need to supplement Lysine for your baby?
The role of zinc - Guidelines for reasonable zinc supplementation
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