Chronic Constipation and Soiling in Children: A Review of the Psychological and Family Literature

A 6‐year follow‐up study of chronic constipation and soiling in a specialist paediatric service

“…Faecal incontinence is a relatively common condition presenting to general practitioners, paediatricians and child psychiatrists. Between 80% and 90% of faecal incontinence is a result of chronic constipation with faecal impaction and consequent overflow soiling (Kelly 1996). In the general population Bellman (1966) found a prevalence of 3% at age 5 years and 1.5% at age 7 years for faecal incontinence.…”

Investigating factors associated with functional constipation of primary school children in Hong Kong

“…Ellett (1990) identified that constipated children are unusually shy, unable to give the name of a close friend, tend to dislike school and rarely participate in extracurricular activities. Kelly (1996) stated that a child who soils is likely to become a psychosocially disadvantaged adult. In social terms, constipation disrupts children's school life and leisure time, with 12% of 90 constipated children displaying school absenteeism according to one study.…”

The Classification of Soiling and Encopresis and a Possible Treatment Protocol

“…Levine and Bakow (1976) define such a programme as involving the use of enemas and suppositories during a clean‐out period, followed by daily use of mineral oil, family education and scheduled toilet sits twice daily. Medical management therefore includes some behavioural aspects and is reported as having a 75–80% success rate with paediatricians (Kelly, 1996). Therefore perhaps the argument of always using a multi‐modal treatment package for soiling is redundant, in the knowledge that basic medical management includes a toilet training component and is generally effective.…”