When does my child need to see a specialist for constipation?

For many school-age children, waiting to poop until returning home from school or being in a rush to use the school toilet can lead to constipation.

But constipation doesn’t simply mean you feel the urge “to go,” but then nothing happens. A constipated child can have painful episodes of difficult to pass hard stool, infrequent or small amount of stool, large stools that plug the toilet, stool leakage, abdominal pain, and even vomiting. A child’s ongoing constipation may result in increased school nurse visits or school absences.

What are some common causes of constipation?

If the body’s stool or poop moves too slowly through the large intestine, it loses moisture. This causes the stool to become hard and more difficult to push out. In addition to painful bowel movements, kids with constipation can experience stomach pain, loss of appetite, bloating, and stool in the underwear.

Other factors that can cause constipation are:

• Not wanting to poop because it hurts
• Toilet training and refusing to poop
• Too busy playing to use the toilet
• Dietary changes
• Not willing to use school or public toilets
• Certain medical conditions

Are school bathrooms the problem?

More than half of Tacoma junior high and high school students surveyed refuse to use the school toilet to poop. So, it seems to indicate that the dreaded school bathroom may be partly to blame for constipation. Why do kids refuse to use the school toilet to poop? Forty percent say the number one reason is that the school toilet is dirty. Another 17 percent of surveyed students say they don’t have enough time to use the bathroom during the school day.

Kids with ongoing constipation should see a gastroenterology expert to make sure there isn’t a medical condition causing constipation and to receive helpful treatment advice.

Care & treatment at our gastroenterology clinic

First, what is Pediatric Gastroenterology (also referred to as simply GI)?

The word gastro means stomach. The field of enterology studies the body’s intestinal tract. Besides being a mouthful – Mary Bridge Children’s team of gastroenterology providers specialize in diseases that affect the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, pancreas, and liver.

Our GI Clinic diagnoses and treats children and teens for a wide range of associated conditions. Some are complex, like inflammatory bowel disease or liver disease. We also treat pediatric patients with more common digestive disorders, such as constipation and abdominal pain.

How do we help your child?

A gastroenterology provider can help school-age children with constipation.  Our providers will first make sure there isn’t a medical condition causing constipation, such as celiac disease or Hirschsprung disease.

We work with families to develop a treatment plan that works for your child.  Strategies include daily medication to help soften stool making it easier to pass. For toilet-trained children, we may recommend scheduled toilet sittings at home. The sooner the treatment is started, the less likely the child will have constipation later in life.

Resolving constipation takes time. Our clinic providers coordinate care with your primary care provider and stay involved throughout the process.

Make an appointment at Mary Bridge Children’s Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition Clinic.

A referral from your primary care is not necessary unless your child’s health insurance requires it. Families also have the option to schedule virtual follow-up visits.

For more information or to make an appointment at Mary Bridge Children’s Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, call 253-792-6630.

Lisa Philichi, ARNP is an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner with Mary Bridge Children’s Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition Clinic.