Encopresis in Children: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Encopresis is called the lack of continence of the stool in a child who does not suffer from any disease that justifies it and who is of the appropriate age to do so.

Faecal incontinence is not called encopresis when the child is young or when it occurs in isolation in the older child.

It usually affects 1 in 100 children between 7 and 8 years old, being more frequent in boys than in girls.

Cause

The causes of encopresis can be several:

That the parents have tried to educate the continence of feces too early in the child, when he was not yet mature to do so

That the learning of defecation continence has been accompanied by punishment or threats and the child is afraid of failure

That presents fissures in the anal area that cause pain in defecation and the child resists defecation.

If the child has very severe constipation with the formation of a hard plug that dilates the anal sphincters so that the softer stools that come from behind run around the plug and escape due to overflow

• Neurological or mental retardation problems
• Emotional problems
• Anal sphincter muscle problems
• Overuse of laxatives or enemas

Symptoms

Encopresis affects in a very serious way the social, school and family life of the child. He needs a lot of understanding and support from his parents.

It is a disorder that occurs both during the day and at night.

Treatment

For the treatment of encopresis you should always consult with the Pediatrician. It can be a long process so patience and good humor are essential to support and encourage the child.

Dietary and pharmacological measures should be carried out to solve constipation, in the event that this was the cause. If the problem is fissures, the same measures as for constipation must be carried out and ointments applied to promote healing.

Try to establish a schedule to teach the child a correct defecation pattern, for example, sitting the child on the toilet after meals.

In some cases the help of a psychologist may be necessary.