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What Causes Constipation In Children?
Question: My 3 1/2 year old daughter has very pronounced dimples of Venus. She has had severe problems with constipation and bowel retention since birth, which did get better around the time she was potty trained 18 mo-3 years. Also, she has had trouble with sometimes both--but usually her left foot turning in and catching on the carplet/floor/ground, causing her to trip. She has fallen on her face too many times to count and has broken teeth and needed stitches (actually gluing) of the eyebrow. Most of these symptoms seemed to dissipate over the last year.
But then last week, she started complaining of being tired when playing outside or walking around the neighborhood, though we hadn't been out very long--and she had been playing outside 2-4 hours everyday. She also started complaining of constipation and actually requested a suppository--which she always hated getting in the past. Her first bowel movement was very large and formed, but she continued (a day or two later) to insist that she couldn't go again and wanted help again. When I gave her a suppository then, the bm's weren't very large and were very soft and/or loose, but she was still unable to pass them on their own. She also had 1-2 urinary accidents during the day over the past week, and hadn't had any daytime accidents for about a year.
Yesterday, at the park, she suddently started walking as if she had cerebral palsy, with toes turned inward, exaggerated lifting of the right leg, hunched over, and arms held awkwardly out in front. She had tucked her water bottle under her arm instead of holding it with her hand and it did seem as if her hands/wrists were flexed/contracted. This lasted probably 30 seconds, or several steps.
These symptoms have disappeared and I see nothing abnormal today. She even had a bm without difficulty, has had no further episodes of incontinence, and her gait has been totally normal.
What could this be? Is it worth seeing a doctor about, considering that today she is asymptomatic? Should I wait until symptoms return?
Her doc is away from spring break, so should I wait until Friday when she returns, or take her to urgent care tomorrow?
But then last week, she started complaining of being tired when playing outside or walking around the neighborhood, though we hadn't been out very long--and she had been playing outside 2-4 hours everyday. She also started complaining of constipation and actually requested a suppository--which she always hated getting in the past. Her first bowel movement was very large and formed, but she continued (a day or two later) to insist that she couldn't go again and wanted help again. When I gave her a suppository then, the bm's weren't very large and were very soft and/or loose, but she was still unable to pass them on their own. She also had 1-2 urinary accidents during the day over the past week, and hadn't had any daytime accidents for about a year.
Yesterday, at the park, she suddently started walking as if she had cerebral palsy, with toes turned inward, exaggerated lifting of the right leg, hunched over, and arms held awkwardly out in front. She had tucked her water bottle under her arm instead of holding it with her hand and it did seem as if her hands/wrists were flexed/contracted. This lasted probably 30 seconds, or several steps.
These symptoms have disappeared and I see nothing abnormal today. She even had a bm without difficulty, has had no further episodes of incontinence, and her gait has been totally normal.
What could this be? Is it worth seeing a doctor about, considering that today she is asymptomatic? Should I wait until symptoms return?
Her doc is away from spring break, so should I wait until Friday when she returns, or take her to urgent care tomorrow?
Brief Answer:
Constipation
Detailed Answer:
Hello. I just read through your question.
The reappearance of the symptoms, and thwi apparent worsening are very concerning. This symptoms fall into bith the GI category and Neurological category. I do not believe it is a good idea to wait, even though she was asymptomatic today. A thorough evaluation will take time before a diagnosis is made and a treatment plan implemented. I recommend either contacting another doctor, or taking her to an ER to have an evaluation started.
Constipation
Detailed Answer:
Hello. I just read through your question.
The reappearance of the symptoms, and thwi apparent worsening are very concerning. This symptoms fall into bith the GI category and Neurological category. I do not believe it is a good idea to wait, even though she was asymptomatic today. A thorough evaluation will take time before a diagnosis is made and a treatment plan implemented. I recommend either contacting another doctor, or taking her to an ER to have an evaluation started.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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