WHAT PARENTS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CONSTIPATION IN CHILDREN

13/04/2023

Constipation is a common digestive disorder in children, account for 5% of pediatric outpatient visits. However, parents should not be subjective in self-treating constipation for their children at home, without proper treatment, the disease will lead to more serious complications such as weakened immunity, anorexia, intestinal disorders ...

► When the following signs detected, take your child to AIH immediately for timely medical exam.

The frequency of defecation is significantly reduced, less than 3 times/week.
Difficulty or even unable to pass stools.
Hard stools, shaped in sepearte small hard lumps like rabbit or goat feces.
Blood in the stool, even causing anal pain in children.
Severe abdominal pain, feeling of abdominal distension, bloating.
Some external manifestations such as children sitting cross-legged, sitting tight on buttocks, discomfort ...

► Causes of Constipation in Children

Stool withholding: Because of engrossment in playing, studying or afraid to use public toilets, children prone to stool withholding, causing anal accumulation, contributing to constipation.
Improper nutrition: Children who eat less fiber – rich vegetables and fruits and do not drink water regularly will have a higher risk of constipation than normal ones.
Excessive medication use: Excessive administration of preventive and therapeutic drugs also causes the body heat, increase the risk of constipation in children.
Some other reasons: Allergy to cow's milk, sudden change in habits, genetic factors...

► Effective constipation precautions

In order to limit constipation as well as antibiotic treatment in children, parents should pay attention to a healthy diet to strengthen the child's immunity.

Adequate nutrient supply to children: adequate fiber supply to children with vegetables, legumes, whole grains and bread. Experts recommend that children should have about 20-38 grams of fiber per day depending on children’s age and gender. Additionally, don't forget to give your child regular drinking of water daily.
Increase physical activities: Exercises help regulate bowel function, preventing the risk of constipation.
Practice proper bowel habits in children: ask them always go to poop after each meal, a toilet footrest can bae considered to support a smooth defecation process.
For children with hard stools causing difficult bowel movements, anal fissure, doctor's intervention is needed, prescribe stool softeners, help children easier for passing stool, and then practice bowel habits. If the child still has fecal retention, expelling stool must be done immediately.

The above are the symptoms of constipation in children that parents can aware, monitor and prevent at home. If the symptoms are unimproved yet tend to more serious, parents should take their children to medical facilities for timely examination and intervention by doctors.

Pediatrics – Neonatology, AIH provides in full of pediatric medical services, including general health check-up, vaccination, monitoring children’s physical and mental developments, nutrition consultation, diagnostic and therapeutic services.

Outpatient pediatrics in the AIH is divided into two separate areas: one for healthy children and another for sick kids in the purpose of patient classification to avoid cross-contamination. Especially, according to Covid-19 screening procedure, newborns with suspected symptoms will be transferred to a separate consulting areas, thereby screening and isolation procedures are applied initially.

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For checkup and consultation at AIH:

☎️ Hotline: (028) 3910 9999

🌏 Website: www.aih.com.vn

📍 Address: (Entrance from 199 Nguyen Hoang Street) No.6, Bac Nam 3 Street, An Phu Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City.