Constipation Flashcards
What is constipation?
A: Infrequent, hard, dry stools; difficulty or pain passing stool; or fewer than two bowel movements per week.
What is the minimum frequency of stool passage considered constipation?
A: Fewer than two defecations per week or passing hard, pellet-like stool at least twice weekly.
In what age group is childhood constipation most common?
A: Toddlers during toilet training.
How does the prevalence of constipation change with puberty?
A: After puberty, females are more likely to develop constipation than males.
What is encopresis?
A: Involuntary or voluntary passage of feces in inappropriate places after the age of 4.
What are the types of encopresis?
A: Retentive (with constipation) and non-retentive (without constipation).
What characterizes primary encopresis?
A: Seen from infancy, often associated with developmental delay and enuresis.
What characterizes secondary encopresis?
A: Occurs after successful toilet training, often associated with stress or psychological issues.
When does the first bowel movement typically occur in term infants?
A: Within 36 hours after birth.
How do stooling patterns differ between breastfed and formula-fed infants?
A: Breastfed infants have more frequent bowel movements.
- Q: What is the typical stool frequency in children?
A: 3 bowel movements per day to 3 per week.
What is the vicious cycle in constipation?
A: Withholding → Retention → Hard stools → Painful defecation.
What are stool withholding maneuvers?
A: Back-arching in infants, tiptoeing in toddlers, or squatting in older children.
What can rectal bleeding indicate in children with constipation?
A: Fissures, fistulae, infection, or rectal polyps.
How is abdominal pain in constipation classified?
A: By location, character, and timing.
