A common problem

Many children get constipation from time to time for a variety of reasons and not because anything is physically wrong with them.

In fact, up to 10% of children are thought to suffer from constipation at any one time ¹



It is hard to get a very accurate figure of the number of children who are affected because parents do not always take their child to the doctor. However, here are some facts to show how common the problem is amongst children.

• About one-third of 4 to 7 year olds are constipated at any one time ²



• 5% of primary school children get constipation for more than six months ³
  
  
• Chronic constipation is most common in children between the ages of 2 and 4 when they are potty training ⁴
  
  
• In about 25% of cases, constipation starts when the child is still a baby ⁴
  
  
• Constipation is a common condition, affecting up to one in three UK children⁵

Usually the constipation only lasts for a few days. If it lasts longer, it can become more serious.

Incidence of childhood constipation references

1. Candy DCA, Davies EG and Ross R. Clinical Paediatrics and Child Health. Edinburgh, WB Saunders, 2001



2. Farrell M, Holmes G, Coldicutt P. Management of childhood constipation: patents experiences, Journal of Advanced Nursing 2003; 479-489



3. Yong D. Beattie R. Normal bowel habit and the prevalence of constipation in primary school children. Ambulatory Child Health 1998; 4: 277-282



4. Nelson R, Wagget J, Lennard-Jones J. Constipation and megacolon in children and adults, Diseases of the Gut and Pancreas. Blackwell Scientific. 1994: 843-864



5. http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG99 Last accessed 26 May 2010. | http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=6 Last accessed 26 May 2010.

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