Etiology and clinical spectrum of constipation in Indian children

Abstract

Functional constipation is the most common cause of constipation in Indian children. History of delayed passage of meconium, presence of abdominal distension, and absence of fecal impaction point to an organic pathology.

Paediatric Constipation;Think Beyond Thyroid Causes

“…As per Indian population, the data is lacking to project the exact problem of constipation, the majority about 95% of cases are functional constipation and 5% or less have organic cause to treat in children 12,14 .…”

The Physiology of Human Defecation

“…The influence of mental state, such as short-term anxiety and stress, also impact on bowel habit. Furthermore, it is well known that stool ''withholding'' behavior, often triggered by an instinct to avoid painful evacuation, is one of the main causes of defecatory dysfunction in children [21][22][23]. Two separate studies have reported that up to 97% of constipated children display stool withholding behavior [24,25].…”

Constipation in children

“…K hanna, et al (1) in this issue stress the importance of being vigilant for the diagnoses of Hirschsprung disease, especially where there is a history of delayed passage of meconium and abdominal distension, and of anal anomalies and celiac disease. We reported in 1976 an incidence of newly diagnosed Hirschsprung disease of approximately 10% in a group of children referred from London and the South East of England to our tertiary centre for intractable constipation (2).…”