Paediatric GI problems

Question 1

Constipation in children - more boys or girls?

Answer 1

Boys

Question 2

What causes most constipation in children?

Answer 2

poor diet
lack of fluid intake
inappropriate behaviour patterns - lack exercise, poor toilet habits.

Question 3

What 3 factors in a child <1 would deem constipation?

Answer 3

• <3stools/week, hard/large stools or “rabbit dropping” type stools.
• Distress on stools, bleeding associated with hard stool, straining.
• history - previous episode of constipation, previous or current anal fissure.

Question 4

What 3 factors would deem constipation in a child >1?

Answer 4

• <3stools/week, overflow soiling, “rabbit dropping” stools, large infrequent stools.
• poor appetite, waxing/waning abdominal pain relieved by stool passage, straining, anal pain.
• history - previous constipation, previous/current anal fissue, painful bowel movements and bleeding.

Question 5

What is idiopathic constipation?

Answer 5

Not explained by anatomical or physiological abnormalities.

Question 6

What are some red flag symptoms which indicate NOT idiopathic constipation?

Answer 6

• symptoms from birth