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Constipation

Does this describe your symptom?

  
  • Pain or crying during the passage of a bowel movement (BM) OR
  • Unable to pass a BM after straining or pushing longer than 10 minutes OR
  • No BM after more than 2 days. (EXCEPTION: if breastfed and older than 1 month, infrequent BMs every 6-7 days that are soft, large and pain-free can be normal. Before 1 month old, infrequent stools usually means an inadequate intake of breastmilk.)
  • The following symptoms are NOT constipation:
    • Normal grunting and brief straining. This is because it is difficult to pass BM lying on back with no help from gravity.
    • Pushing for less than 10 minutes can occur occasionally at any age.
    • Large BMs--size relates to amount of food consumed.
    • BMs passed every 2 or 3 days
    • Hard or dry BMs are also normal if passed easily. Often related to poor fiber intake.
    Causes
  • High-milk or cheese diet
  • Low fiber in diet
  • Postponing BMs
  • Slow GI (gastrointestional) transit time due to genetic differences

If not, see these other symptoms
  1. Should I Call?
  2. Care at Home

Parent Care for Pediatric Symptoms. Copyright © 2000-2008. Barton D. Schmitt, MD
Reviewed/Modified: Sept 2008 by Intermountain Healthcare, Inc.


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