Constipation

These clinical practice guidelines cover the description, etiology, diagnosis and management of constipation in children.

These emergency department guidelines cover the background, assessment and management of constipation in children.

This guideline covers diagnosing and managing constipation in children and young people up to 18. It provides strategies to support the early identification and timely, effective treatment of constipation which will help improve outcomes for patients. It does not cover constipation caused by a specific condition.

This article provides a description, assessment, and analysis of each functional gastrointestinal intestinal disorder that affects the neonate/toddler age group.

This summary article about the Rome IV diagnostic criteria describes the the field of functional gastrointestinal disorders, distinguishes them from motility and structural disorders, discusses the changes from the Rome III criteria, reviews the Rome committee process, provides a biopsychological pathophysiological conceptualization of functional gastrointestinal disorders, and offers an approach to patient care.

The Rome criteria provide symptom-based guidelines by which child and adolescent functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) can be diagnosed.

Objectives: Know that constipation is a common problem in childhood with a diverse clinical presentation. Understand that functional constipation is a symptom-based diagnosis that does not require extensive testing. Recognize that most children who present with fecal incontinence or encopresis have associated constipation. Describe the treatment of constipation and encopresis, which should include a medical-behavioral approach that focuses on maintaining soft and regular bowel movements and improving toileting behavior.

This evidence-based guideline provides recommendations for the evaluation and treatment of children withfunctionalconstipation to standardize and improve their quality of care. In addition, 2 algorithms were developed, one for the infants under 6 months of age and the other for older infants and children.

These guidelines are published in English and French, and cover the description, etiology, diagnosis and management, including long-term treatments and behavioural modifications and education, for functional constipation in children.