Encopresis In Children: Causes, Symptoms And Ways To Treat It

Encopresis in children is a common condition that affects at least two in 100 children (1). It’s also known as fecal incontinence or soiling and occurs when a child (aged 4 years or more) has frequent episodes of involuntary passing of feces on their clothing even after being potty trained.

Chronic constipation, which causes stool leakage and a loss of control over bowel motions, is the most prevalent cause of encopresis. However, children with emotional problems are more prone to develop encopresis than others. Nevertheless, children can overcome encopresis with encouragement and positive reinforcement along with appropriate treatment.

Read on to know the causes, risk factors, symptoms, and diagnosis of encopresis and how it can be treated and prevented in children.

Risks Factors And Causes Of Encopresis In Children

Constipation is the most common cause of encopresis in children, and it often begins with the child holding back their bowel movements. The most common reasons for holding back bowel movements, which eventually leads to encopresis, may include (1) (2).

• Dietary changes such as eating a low fiber diet, not drinking enough water, eating high-sugar, high-fat junk foods, and consuming excess soft drinks and sugary drinks
• Illnesses
• Pain during or after bowel movements
• Travel and changes in toilet routines
• New bathrooms or less-privacy in bathrooms, which can make them uncomfortable
• Continuing to play or do other activities when they have the urge to empty their bowels
• Emotional stress due to reasons such as the birth of a new sibling, parental conflicts, or divorce
• Premature, difficult, or conflict-filled toilet training
• Hesitance to use bathrooms at school or anywhere other than home
• Lack of physical activity
• Stress and other emotional issues such as anxiety and depression
• Autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Use of certain medications such as cough suppressants

Although the exact reason is not known, encopresis tends to occur more in boys than girls. Also, although nightmares and medical conditions are linked to enuresis (bedwetting or urinating) in children, they are not known to cause encopresis.

Symptoms Of Encopresis In Children

Encopretic symptoms may vary in each child. Some children may cross or shake their legs, scream, and cry when they try to hold poop, and parents may often mistake this behavior for children trying to pass poop. The common symptoms of encopresis may include (2) (3).

• Watery or loose stools, which can often be mistaken for diarrhea
• Constipation with dry, hard stool
• Involuntary bowel movements—the urge to poop with little or no warning signs
• Soiling the underwear before the child can get into the bathroom or before removing the clothes
• Hiding soiled underwear
• Withdrawal from friends and family
• Rubbing or scratching the anal area since watery stools may irritate the skin
• Lack of appetite
• Abdominal pain

Note: Stool leakage and anal itching can also be symptoms of other health conditions. Seek pediatric care to know the exact diagnosis and effective ways to manage or prevent encopresis in your child.

Complications Of Encopresis

Encopresis may lead to emotional and physical issues in children. And many children may experience abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and bladder infections due to the hardened stools in the intestines (3).

Bowel accidents such as the soiling of clothes can emotionally upset the children. In most cases, bowel leakage or accidents are not controllable, and when a child with encopresis is teased or criticized, they may experience shame, low self-esteem, and anger. Fear of accidents may also confine the child to the house. However, children with parental support may not develop these complications and often overcome encopresis.

Diagnosis Of Encopresis

The pediatrician may do a physical examination and obtain a detailed medical history, including enquiring about the child’s toilet training and routines. This is often enough to identify the reasons and diagnose encopresis in most children.

Imaging tests such as abdominal X-rays are recommended if stool (fecal) impaction is suspected. The doctor may also perform contrast enema, a test that checks the intestine for blockage, narrow areas, and other abnormalities.

Referrals to pediatric psychologists are made if a child has any emotional issues or mental health problems due to encopresis(3) (4).

Treatment For Encopresis In Children

Encopresis treatment may vary depending on the cause. The following treatments are prescribed if encopresis is due to constipation (4).

• Doctors may recommend the child sits in the toilet for five to ten minutes after breakfast and dinner. This may help them pass bowel movements.
• Laxatives may be used to loosen stools in severe constipation and fecal impaction.
• Enemas may be recommended to loosen dry and hard impacted stools. Enema is liquid administered rectally to enhance bowel emptying.

Constipation and encopresis may require daily treatment with enemas. Experts at the International Center for Colorectal and Urogenital Care recommend daily enemas for a short time to clear the impacted stool and treat fecal incontinence (5). Although enemas and laxatives are available over the counter, it is recommended to seek pediatric consultation before using them since the dosage and duration vary in each child.

The following treatments are offered for encopresis due to emotional or behavioral issues (3).

• Bowel retraining or behavior modification may help some children have regular bowel movements
• Psychotherapy is often recommended by mental health professionals for managing emotional issues due to encopresis, such as depression, feelings of shame, low self-esteem, or guilt.

Prevention Of Encopresis

The following strategies may help prevent encopresis and its complications in children (3).

• Take a balanced diet high in fiber and drink enough fluid. Early management of constipation can also reduce the risk of encopresis.

• Begin potty training when your child is ready and offer positive reinforcements when they make progress. However, keep in mind that starting too early or late and forceful methods and punishments may lead the child to hold bowel movements.

• Cut down on sugary or high-fat junk food and limit milk intake.

• Encourage children to sit on the toilet seat for five to ten minutes after meals, as the bowel becomes more active after meals.

• Use a footstool or toilet seat according to age. Using a footstool may help empty the bowel due to pressure exerted by the legs on the abdomen.

• Encourage regular physical activity. Exercise is also known to reduce constipation in children.

References

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Reviewer

Dr. Priya ThomasMD

 

Dr. Priya Thomas is a board-certified pediatrician practicing in Alpharetta, Georgia, with over ten years of experience. She grew up in Kerala and completed her undergraduate degree at Georgia State University and Her medical education at Medical College of Georgia.

Read full bio of Dr. Priya Thomas